(NCQA: Washington) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance recently reached a milestone when it recognized its 10,000th physician for high-quality care. NCQA’s voluntary physician recognition programs evaluate physicians and physician practices based on evidence-based measures of quality care and practice standards. Since the introduction of the first recognition program in 1997, patients, employers, and health plans have come to rely on these programs as a basis upon which to identify and reward top-performing practices. They have also served as a valuable practice improvement tool for physician practices and form the basis for many of the pay for performance programs in the United States.

NCQA recognizes physicians for consistently providing evidence-based care to patients with diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and low back pain. Two additional programs, Physician Practice Connections and Physician Practice Connections—Patient-Centered Medical Home recognize physician groups for using clinical information systems and systematic processes to enhance care for all of their patients.

“‘Who’s the best doctor for me?’ is one of the most elemental questions a patient asks. Traditionally that question has been answered through word of mouth,” says Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA president. “NCQA’s recognition programs give patients and purchasers objective data on which to make these critical decisions.

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