The National Committee for Quality Assurance and U.S. News & World Report will rank U.S. health plans in the magazine’s Oct. 3 issue. The issue will hit newsstands on the same day NCQA will release its annual State of Health Care Quality report. Hundreds of commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans will be ranked, with detailed information about their performance in specific areas. The rankings will be based on clinical performance, member satisfaction and NCQA accreditation. Visitors to U.S. News & World Report’s Web site will be able to view more detailed information about each plan’s performance in selected areas such as cancer screening and diabetes care, heart disease and asthma, along with member satisfaction information.

“This is an exciting expansion of the U.S. News ‘America’s Best’ brand,” sys Brian Duffy, U.S. News & World Report editor. “Open enrollment is right around the corner and people need good, objective information to help them decide which health plan is right for them. We’re excited to be working with NCQA on this effort.”

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