LVPG Among First in the Nation to Earn Virtual Care Accreditation from NCQA

Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) earned national recognition for its commitment to delivering high-quality digital health services and received first-of-its-kind accreditations for virtual primary care and virtual urgent care from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). LVPG is among the first 20 organizations and first health systems in the United States to earn these accreditations.

“Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) ExpressCARE Video Visits and LVHN Virtual Family Medicine deliver the same high-quality care our patients expect, but with added convenience, reduced wait times and peace of mind knowing they’ll receive exceptional, high-quality care from a health network they know and trust,” says Grant Greenberg, MD, Chair, Department of Family Medicine, LVHN.

NCQA evaluates organizations on key criteria, including:

• Quality and patient safety: A strong quality improvement infrastructure must be in place to support the safe delivery of virtual care and monitor clinical outcomes.
• Care coordination: Systems must ensure continuity across the care spectrum, helping patients seamlessly navigate from virtual visits to in-person follow-ups when needed.
• Equitable access: Organizations must use patient data to identify disparities in care and implement quality improvement plans to close gaps.
• Patient and clinician experience: Patient and clinician feedback is collected and analyzed regularly to address barriers and improve satisfaction.
• Data sharing and exchange: HIPAA-compliant platforms must be used and organizations are required to educate patients about how their health data is exchanged and protected.

“This accreditation shines a spotlight on the incredible dedication of the colleagues who work in our virtual care settings,” says Dr. Greenberg. “This is the result of hard work from a team of clinicians, technology specialists, patient experience professionals and operational leaders who collaborated to meet rigorous national standards.”

LVHN ExpressCARE Video Visits provide fast, convenient access to treatment for common, non-emergency conditions, including minor illnesses, skin conditions, joint and muscle pain, and other health issues that don’t require a physical examination.

Patients can choose to wait in a virtual line or schedule an appointment at a time that works best for them. Each year, more than 32,000 patients receive care through LVHN Virtual ExpressCARE.

Virtual ExpressCARE clinicians can provide diagnosis, treatment and prescriptions, excluding controlled substances. If further testing or an in-person evaluation is needed, patients will be referred to nearby LVHN locations.

LVHN Virtual Family Medicine blends the convenience of digital access with the comfort of knowing you’ll receive care from a clinician who understands your health history. Patients will receive the same care they receive during in-person visits, but with more flexibility for scheduling.

LVPG currently staffs one dedicated physician to virtual primary care, but many LVPG primary care physicians and advanced practice clinicians offer virtual visits as part of regular patient care. Patients who use virtual family medicine have access to LVHN specialists and services.