WATERTOWN, Mass.– Firefly Health has become the first national primary care practice to receive Virtual Care Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), marking a significant milestone in the advancement of virtual-first healthcare.
The Massachusetts-based company is one of only five organizations nationwide to earn the accreditation, but stands out as the only full-scale primary care provider to achieve the designation. Other accredited organizations operate in limited geographic areas or offer narrower, non-longitudinal services. Firefly played an instrumental role in the development of the accreditation framework, serving as a collaborator in NCQA’s two-year pilot program aimed at establishing standardized, equitable, and safe virtual care practices.
“NCQA’s commitment to quality and patient-centered care aligns with Firefly’s mission,” said Dr. Nisha Basu, Chief Clinical Officer at Firefly Health. “Achieving one of the first virtual primary care accreditations reinforces our dedication to delivering high-quality care and strengthens our processes. We’re excited to keep setting the standard for virtual care across the country.”
The NCQA Virtual Care Accreditation program evaluates providers on several key quality and safety metrics. These include personalized treatment planning, patient engagement beyond virtual interactions, use of translation services, appropriate referral systems, and assessments that incorporate social determinants of health. Firefly adapted its operational and clinical protocols to meet these rigorous standards, including enhancements to staff training, technological workflows, and its collection of Race, Ethnicity, and Identity (REI) data to ensure inclusive, responsive care.
As virtual and hybrid healthcare models continue to grow, Firefly Health’s accreditation positions the company as a leader in redefining how primary care can be delivered effectively and equitably in a digital age.
