Ace the NCQA Challenge 2026 – Elevate Your Quality Assurance Game!

A Quality Improvement project in NCQA terms is a systematic, time-bound effort to improve a specific care process or outcome, guided by structured improvement methods such as Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA). The focus is on testing changes on a small scale, collecting data to measure impact, and iterating based on what the data show, all within a defined aim and timeframe. This differentiates it from a one-time chart review with no follow-up, an annual training session, or a cost-saving effort that doesn’t center on care processes. For example, a QI project might test a reminder system to improve follow-up after a visit, track the effect on timely follow-up rates, and adjust the approach based on monthly data. This combination of a defined goal, iterative testing, and data-driven decision-making is what NCQA considers a QI project.