Validated Data Flows Promote Trust, Support Value-Based Contracting, Ease Quality Measurement Loads
Azara Healthcare announced today that it has once again earned the Validated Data Stream designation in the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Data Aggregator Validation program. It is part of the latest NCQA cohort to earn the NCQA validation.
The validation applies to Azara’s national data stream. Data streams that earn validation undergo a rigorous, end-to-end look at the quality and integrity of data and the procedures used to manage and safeguard it. From ingestion at primary sources through transmission to end users, verifies adherence to NCQA process, system and data standards.
“Over the past two decades, this country has invested heavily in digitizing clinical data. We haven’t yet gotten the full value of that investment because the data are inconsistent, incomplete and unvalidated,” said Brad Ryan, MD, Chief Product Officer at NCQA. “NCQA’s Data Aggregator Validation program brings trust, comparability and utility to clinical data streams for use in HEDIS and beyond.”
Validation makes aggregated clinical data streams more valuable. Leveraging the consensus-based Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) audit process to prospectively validate clinical data flows, validation promotes trust in aggregated clinical data assets—and in the insights drawn from these data sources. It is a boost for value-based contracting and, in combination with new federal technology standards, makes many of its core features truly routine.
“We are proud to continue to support NCQA’s initiatives to provide accurate data to our customers so they can effectively fulfill HEDIS reporting requirements and focus efforts where they will have the greatest impact,” said Jeff Brandes, Azara’s President & CEO. “Achieving Certified Data Stream status once again confirms Azara’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest data quality standards and reflects the unrelenting dedication of our team. This Certification is a critical component in Azara’s long-term focus on facilitating effective and efficient payer-provider collaboration.”
Seen as a vital, early step in achieving NCQA’s vision of a digital measurement ecosystem, validated data flows also improve the efficiency of today’s quality measurement processes. Uniquely accepted as standard supplemental data in HEDIS audits, no primary source verification is required for HEDIS reporting when health plans report data from Data Aggregator Validation validated sources.
Azara Healthcare was one of 12 organizations that validated data streams or earned Certified Data Stream status as part of NCQA’s first program cohort, which began validation review in July 2021.
For more information on NCQA validation, please click here.
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians
and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
About Azara Healthcare
Azara Healthcare, the 2023 and 2024 Best in KLAS population health management solution, is the leading provider of quality measurement, analytics and reporting for the Community Health and physician practice market. Azara solutions empower more than 1,000 Community Health Centers, physician practices, Primary Care Associations, Health Center Controlled Networks, and clinically integrated networks in 43 states to improve the quality and efficiency of care for more than 25 million Americans through actionable data. To learn more about Azara Healthcare, visit www.azarahealthcare.com.
