The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) on June 2 released for public comment proposed standards and measures for a new wellness and health promotion (WHP) product evaluation suite. The program will examine organizations that provide services to employers and health plans that seek to help employees and other participants better manage their own health. Nearly two-thirds of employers in the United States offer such services, including health coaching, smoking cessation, and obesity management programs.
The WHP product suite includes a broad-based accreditation program for organizations that offer comprehensive wellness services as well as certification for organizations that offer only specific components such as health appraisals and self-management tools. NCQA is also proposing a separate accreditation program for organizations that offer stand-alone weight management or smoking cessation programs. The WHP product suite is slated for launch in early 2009.
Members of the public are invited to comment on the measures through June 30. Read the press release.
