NCQA Enhances Virtual Care Accessibility with New White Papers
Washington, Thursday, 3 July 2025.
The NCQA has released comprehensive white papers to guide payers and providers in implementing effective virtual care programs, addressing the surge in demand post-pandemic.
Strengthening Virtual Care Standards
In response to the rapid escalation of virtual care demand, the NCQA launched two new white papers on 2 July 2025. These papers provide a detailed framework aimed at helping payers and care delivery organizations design and implement high-quality virtual care solutions. A notable increase from 1% to 10% of outpatient visits becoming virtual post-pandemic emphasizes the necessity of standardized protocols to maintain care quality and efficacy [1][2].
Impact on Healthcare Providers and Payers
With 97% of large payers and 89% of smaller ones now covering telehealth services, the white papers address critical pain points in the implementation of virtual care by offering methods for integration into existing healthcare systems. They emphasize the need for proper infrastructure to consistently meet health metrics, a sentiment echoed by industry experts such as Richard Gitomer, MD, who highlighted virtual care as an ongoing quality journey [1][2].
The Role of Technology and Patient Engagement
The white papers incorporate lessons learned from NCQA’s pilot program involving 18 organizations across 12 states and Puerto Rico, focusing on how technology fosters patient engagement, reduces appointment cancellations, and eases healthcare access disparities. The Alliance of Community Health Plans also stresses that telehealth should become a permanent feature of healthcare, harnessing digital platforms to better serve populations in diverse geographic settings [2][3].
Future Directions and Innovation
Looking forward, NCQA plans to host a webinar on 30 July 2025 in collaboration with the American Telemedicine Association to further explore real-world applications of virtual care innovations. Such initiatives underscore the organization’s commitment to advancing digital healthcare and fostering environments where innovative solutions can flourish, ultimately aiming to transform traditional care delivery models into efficient digital systems [1][2].