Why are healthcare acronyms so confusing? If you work in home health or hospice, you’ve likely encountered an alphabet soup of acronyms that can be difficult to keep straight. Even worse, some acronyms mean different things in different contexts, which can lead to misunderstandings, errors, or even compliance violations.
At The Home Health Consultant, we help Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs) and hospices (HSP) navigate the complexity of these terms every day. Understanding these acronyms isn’t just a matter of memorization. It’s crucial for regulatory compliance, billing accuracy, and seamless patient care.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- A complete breakdown of the most commonly used acronyms in home health and hospice
- A special section on acronyms with multiple meanings (to help you avoid costly mistakes)
- Clear explanations of what each acronym does and why it matters
Let’s dive in.
Home Health & Hospice Acronyms With Multiple Meanings
Before we look at the full list, let’s address one of the biggest pain points in Medicare terminology: acronyms that have different meanings in different contexts.
|
Acronym |
Meaning 1 |
Meaning 2 |
|
HHA |
Home Health Agency: an organization that provides Medicare-certified skilled home care services |
Home Health Aide: a caregiver who assists with daily living activities. This is often written as “CHHA" (Certified Home Health Aide) for differentiation |
|
SOC |
Start of Care: the first visit in a home health episode |
Standard of Care: a broader term referring to generally accepted clinical guidelines |
|
POC |
Plan of Corrections: a document agencies must fill out and submit if any deficiencies are found during survey |
Plan of Care: a treatment plan created for a patient upon admittance to a home health or hospice agency. This is also referred to as a '485', because it’s completed on form number 485/487 |
|
PT |
Patient: patient can be written as Pt or pt. |
Physical Therapist: when referring to a Physical Therapist, PT is capitalized. |
|
CAP |
Hospice CAP: a reimbursement limit set by Medicare to ensure hospices don't receive more payment than intended per patient. |
Capitalization: a request sent during the Medicare enrollment process. Governing agencies check if you have enough money to self-fund non-billable patient care for your enrollment survey. |
|
MD |
Medical Doctor: a licensed healthcare professional trained to diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries in patients. |
Medical Director: a physician responsible for overseeing the clinical care and medical services within a healthcare organization, ensuring quality, compliance, and coordination among providers. |
These overlaps can cause confusion in documentation, billing, and communication, so always double-check the context!
Regulatory and Compliance Acronyms
Compliance is critical in Medicare home health and hospice. Agencies must follow strict Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and other regulations to stay accredited, avoid penalties, and ensure patient safety.
ACHC: Accreditation Commission for Healthcare → CMS-approved accreditor for home health, hospice, and other healthcare providers, known for its collaborative and education-driven approach to compliance.
AO: Accrediting Organization → Groups like TJC, CHAP, and ACHC that CMS approves to survey and accredit providers.
CHAP: Community Health Accreditation Partner → The first CMS-approved accreditor for home health and hospice, focused on evidence-based standards and patient safety.
CMS: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services → The federal agency that administers Medicare and oversees home health and hospice regulations.
CoPs: Conditions of Participation → The regulatory standards that all Medicare-certified providers must meet.
GSA: Geographical Service Area → The designated region where a home health or hospice provider is approved to operate. Expanding a GSA requires regulatory approval from CMS and state agencies. To learn more and access free GSA resources, check out our article below.
HHS: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services → The parent department of CMS, responsible for national health policies.
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act → Governs patient data privacy and security.
MAC: Medicare Administrative Contractor → A CMS-contracted entity that processes Medicare claims, audits, and provider enrollments. Different MACs service specific geographic regions for home health and hospice agencies.
NPI: National Provider Identifier → A unique 10-digit identification number assigned to healthcare providers and organizations. Medicare requires NPIs on all claims, orders, and documentation.
OIG: Office of Inspector General → Investigates Medicare fraud and enforces compliance.
PTAN: Provider Transaction Access Number → A Medicare-issued provider number used to authenticate and track claims. It is assigned upon Medicare enrollment and differs from the NPI.
QAPI: Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement → A Medicare-required program that ensures continuous quality improvement in home health and hospice. Agencies must track performance data, identify trends, and implement corrective actions.
TJC: The Joint Commission → A leading accreditor for healthcare providers, recognized for its high patient safety standards and rigorous compliance surveys. (Previously JCAHO: Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Pronounced Jay-Co. People who have been in the industry for a long time still refer to it this way.)
Why Understanding Regulatory & Compliance Acronyms Matters:
Understanding regulatory acronyms like CoPs, OIG, and AOC, ensures legal and ethical operations. Failing to comply with any of these organizations’ regulations can result in heavy fines or even loss of Medicare certification.
Home Health & Hospice Staff Acronyms
Home health and hospice agencies rely on a team of highly skilled professionals to deliver quality patient care. Each staff member has specific roles and responsibilities, many of which are regulated by Medicare’s Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and state licensing laws. Understanding these roles is essential for compliance, care coordination, and Medicare reimbursement.
Below are the key staff acronyms used in home health and hospice settings, along with their definitions and industry significance.
CHHA: Certified Home Health Aid → A trained caregiver assisting with bathing, dressing, and other personal care needs. CHHAs work under nurse supervision. They provide essential non-medical support in home health and hospice.
CNA: Certified Nurse Aid → A similar certification as CHHA, however this type of staff is not allowed to work in home health or hospice. This type of caregiver works in healthcare organizations that provide care onsite, where they are directly supervised.
DPCS: Director of Patient Care Services → The lead clinical supervisor ensures patient care meets regulatory and quality standards. In home health and hospice, the DPCS oversees nursing, therapy, and aide services. They ensure compliance with Medicare and state guidelines.
LVN/LPN: Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse → A nurse providing medical care under RN supervision. LVNs/LPNs handle medication administration, wound care, and patient monitoring. However, they cannot start I.V.’s, conduct comprehensive assessments or develop care plans.
MD: Medical Director → A licensed physician who provides clinical oversight for hospice programs. They ensure patient care aligns with Medicare hospice eligibility guidelines. The MD collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to oversee treatment plans and symptom management. MDs also serve as laboratory directors for home health and hospice CLIAs. While home health agencies can also have MD’s as Medical Directors, it’s not common or required.
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker → A licensed professional who provides emotional support, counseling, and resource coordination for patients and families. LCSWs conduct psychosocial assessments and assist with advance care planning. They also help patients access community resources and support services. In hospice, LCSWs guide families through end-of-life decisions and bereavement support.
MSW: Medical Social Worker → An unlicensed professional, with at least a bachelors in social work, who provides emotional support, counseling, and resource coordination for patients and families. Just like LCSWs, MSWs conduct psychosocial assessments and assist with advance care planning. They also help patients access community resources and support services. In hospice, MSWs guide families through end-of-life decisions and bereavement support.
OT: Occupational Therapist → A therapist who helps patients regain daily living skills like bathing, dressing, and using assistive devices. OTs conduct evaluations and create OT care plans to improve issues like independence and home safety for patients.
COTA: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant → Assistant level OT. They provide treatment under the supervision of the OT. COTAs cannot conduct evaluations or create care plans.
PT: Physical Therapist → A licensed therapist who helps improve mobility, strength, and pain management. PT’s conduct evaluations and create PT care plans for patients recovering from issues like surgery, injuries, or chronic conditions.
PTA: Physical Therapy Assistant → Assistant level PT. They provide treatment under the supervision of the PT. PTAs cannot conduct evaluations or create care plans.
RN: Registered Nurse → The primary clinical provider in home health and hospice. RNs handle patient assessments, care planning, medication administration, and case management. They also conduct skilled nursing visits, wound care, and chronic disease management.
SLP/ST: Speech Language Pathologist/Speech Therapist → Also called a Speech Therapist (ST), an SLP treats speech, swallowing, and cognitive impairments. ST’s conduct evaluations and create ST care plans for issues like stroke recovery, neurological disorders, and hospice care.
STA: Speech Therapy Assistant → Assistant level ST. Works under the supervision of an SLP to help implement treatment plans and support patients. STAs cannot conduct evaluations or create care plans.
RD: Registered Dietician → A licensed nutrition expert who assesses dietary needs and creates nutrition plans to support medical conditions, weight management, and overall health. RDs play a key role in chronic disease management and improving quality of life. Many agencies use nursing instead of RDs for nutritional guidance. However more difficult cases can involve registered dietitians.
Why Understanding Staff Acronyms Matters:
Each role is crucial for patient care, compliance, and reimbursement. Agencies must ensure staff meet Medicare credentialing requirements. Proper staffing reduces errors, improves patient satisfaction, and ensures smooth care delivery.
Check out our articles on Home Health Disciplines and Hospice Disciplines to learn more about how they work together to provide quality care. Or, if you're ready to learn even more about staff, stay compliant by reading our article on staff supervision policies below.
Reportable Change Application Acronyms
Managing Medicare compliance, billing, and provider enrollment requires working with Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), some state agencies, and submitting various CMS applications. Below are the key acronyms related to these processes:
CGSA: Change of Geographical Service Area → Used when an agency expands or modifies its service region, requiring CMS and state approval.
CHAD: Change of Administrator Designee → Used for reporting an administrator designee change, but not always required by every MAC or State agency.
CHIO: Change of Indirect Ownership → Filed when a parent company or indirect owner changes, affecting agency ownership structure.
CHMA: Change of Mailing Address → A simpler application required when an agency updates its official mailing address with CMS, their MAC, and their state agency.
CHMD: Change of Medical Director → Used to report a new hospice Medical Director to Medicare and state regulators.
CHOA: Change of Administrator → A required application when an agency changes its Administrator; submitted to the MAC and state licensing agencies.
CHOC: Change of Provider Number (PTAN) → Submitted when a new provider transaction access number (PTAN) is issued.
CHOL: Change of Location → Required when a home health or hospice agency moves to a new address, triggering onsite surveys by CMS.
CHON: Change of Agency Name → Filed when an agency rebrands or updates its legal name, requiring MAC, some state agency, and accreditor approval.
CHOS: Change of Services → Required when an agency adds or removes specific Medicare-certified services.
CHOW: Change of Ownership → A required application for ownership changes of 50% or more, reported to CMS, the MAC, the accrediting organization, and some state specific agencies.
CHPO: Change of Property Owner → Filed when an agency's physical building ownership changes hands.
CHST: Change of Stock Transfer → Used when less than 50% of ownership is transferred, requiring MAC and CMS approval.
CNPI: Change of NPI (National Provider Identifier) → Filed when an agency receives a new NPI number, requiring updates with CMS, MACs, and some state-specific agencies.
PECOS: Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System → CMS's online portal for Medicare provider enrollment, updates, and ownership changes.
Why Understanding Reportable Change Acronyms Matters
Understanding these acronyms ensures that home health and hospice providers stay compliant with CMS regulations while avoiding delays in licensing, billing, and accreditation approvals. For all a full list of changes your agency must disclose, read our article on Reportable Changes below.
Payment and Reimbursement Acronyms
Medicare reimbursement is complex and involves various payment models, coding systems, and audit processes. Understanding these acronyms is essential for accurate billing and avoiding claim denials.
ADR: Additional Documentation Request → A notification from Medicare requesting additional documentation to support a claim filed by an agency.
FC: Final Claim → The last billing submission for a Medicare episode or benefit period. It includes all services provided and determines final reimbursement. Accurate and timely FC submission is critical for cash flow and compliance.
HHVBP: Home Health Value Based Purchasing → A Medicare payment model that rewards or penalizes home health agencies (HHAs) based on their quality performance.
LUPA: Low Utilization Payment Adjustment → A lower payment applied when a patient receives fewer visits than the set threshold.
NOA: Notice of Admission → A required Medicare submission that documents the start of care for a patient. The NOA must be filed promptly to establish the billing period and ensure timely reimbursement. Late submissions can result in payment penalties.
PDGM: Patient-Driven Groupings Model → The current home health payment model, which replaced therapy-based payments.
PPS: Prospective Payment System → Medicare's method of paying fixed rates for care episodes.
Why Understanding Payment & Reimbursement Acronyms Matters:
Misunderstanding payment acronyms like LUPA and PDGM can lead to underpayment, overpayment, or even Medicare audits.
Clinical Documentation and Assessment Acronyms
Clinical documentation ensures patients receive the right care and agencies receive proper reimbursement. These acronyms are key to understanding how Medicare evaluates patient needs.
DC: Discharge → The formal end of services, documented when the patient meets goals, declines further care, or is no longer eligible. Proper DC documentation is key for compliance and outcomes tracking.
F2F: Face-to-Face Encounter → A required in-person visit between a patient and a physician before home health services can begin.
PCG: Patient Caregiver → A family member, friend, or hired aide who assists the patient with daily needs and care. PCGs are vital partners in home health, often helping carry out the care plan.
POC: Plan of Care → A physician-approved document outlining a patient’s treatment plan.
Pt: Patient → The individual receiving home health or hospice services. The patient is the center of the care team and all clinical decisions revolve around their needs and goals.
NOMNC: Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage → a written notification given to Medicare beneficiaries to inform them that their covered services are ending. This means Medicare will no longer pay for their care after a specific date. Strict rules govern when and how the notice is delivered. To learn more about NOMNC requirements, read the article below.
RC: Recertification → The process of extending a patient’s treatment and plan of care beyond the initial certification period, typically after 60 days. RC ensures continued medical necessity and updates care goals.
ROC: Resumption of Care → A visit that reactivates services after a temporary hospital stay or discharge. The ROC reassesses the patient and restarts the care plan.
SOC: Start of Care → The first visit to initiate home health services, typically involving a comprehensive assessment, care planning, and documentation. The SOC sets the foundation for the entire episode of care.
Patient Medication Related Acronyms
BID: Twice a Day → Indicates that a medication or intervention should be administered two times a day. Timing is typically spaced 12 hours apart unless specified otherwise.
PO: Per os (or Per Orum) → A Latin term meaning “by mouth” or orally. This abbreviation is used in medication orders to indicate how the drug should be taken.
QD: Daily → A medication or treatment frequency meaning “once a day.” Commonly used in physician orders and care planning.
TID: Three Times a Day → Refers to administering medication or therapy three times daily, usually spaced evenly throughout waking hours for optimal effect.
Why Understanding Clinical Documentation & Assessment Acronyms Matters:
Medicare requires accurate clinical documentation to justify care, ensure compliance, and secure reimbursement.
Quality Reporting and Performance Acronyms
Medicare evaluates home health and hospice providers based on quality metrics. Agencies must report these measures to avoid financial penalties.
CAHPS: Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems → Third party patient satisfaction surveys for home health and hospice.
HARP: HCQIS Access Roles and Profile → A secure login system used to access Medicare reporting platforms like iQIES. HARP lets users create an account and manage their roles and permissions across different CMS systems. It’s the first step to gaining access to important reporting tools.
HCQIS: Health Care Quality Information System → a secure data system used by CMS to collect, manage, and analyze healthcare quality data from providers and facilities.
HIS: Hospice Item Set → A set of quality measures that hospices must report to CMS.
HOPE: Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation → A new, comprehensive patient assessment tool currently in development by CMS for the hospice industry. HOPE is designed to eventually replace or supplement the Hospice Item Set (HIS) as part of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP).
HQRP: Hospice Quality Reporting Program → A Medicare-mandated program that requires hospice providers to report quality data to CMS.
iQIES – Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System → A modernized CMS data system that replaces QIES (Quality Improvement and Evaluation System). It is used for OASIS, HIS, and other quality data submissions. iQIES improves data accessibility, reporting accuracy, and provider workflow efficiency.
OASIS: Outcome and Assessment Information Set → The comprehensive patient assessment used for home health care planning and reimbursement.
Why Understanding Quality Reporting & Performance Acronyms Matters:
Higher quality scores mean higher reimbursement, better patient trust, and fewer regulatory headaches.
Why Comprehensive Knowledge of Acronyms in Home Health & Hospice Matters
We know—it’s a lot. The world of home health and hospice is filled with acronyms that sometimes mean different things depending on the context. Remember when we pointed out those tricky terms with multiple meanings? That’s exactly why understanding these acronyms isn’t just about memorization. It’s about knowing when and how to apply them correctly.
Yes, it’s complicated. Yes, it can feel overwhelming. But with the right knowledge, you’ll be prepared to navigate compliance, secure accurate reimbursement, and deliver the highest quality care with confidence.
The good news? You don’t have to figure this all out alone. With the right resources, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to succeed in this industry.
New to the industry and looking to learn more? Check out our beginner-friendly article and podcast on home health & hospice industry structure below.
*This article was written in consultation with Mariam Treystman.
*Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal, financial, or professional advice. No consultant-client relationship is established by engaging with this content. You should seek the advice of a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding any legal or business matters. The consultant assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
