Commonly Used Home Care Terms

    Acronym              Definition

            AC                           Alternative Care program
           CAC                         Community Alternative Care program
           CADI                        Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals
           CHAP                      Community Health Accreditation Program
           CHP                         Children's Health Plan
           CHS                         Community Health Service
           CSMD                     Community Supports for Minnesotans with Disabilities
           CSSA                      Community Social Services Act
           DHS                         Department of Human Services
           DME                         Durable Medical Equipment
           DON                         Director of Nursing
           ET                             Enterostomal Therapy
           EW                           Elderly Waiver
           FI                              Fiscal Intermediary
           CMS                        Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
           HHA                         Home Health Agency OR Home Health Aide
           HMO                        Health Maintenance Organization
           JCAHO                   Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
           LPN                         Licensed Practical Nurse
           MA                           Medical Assistance/Medicaid
           MCH                        Maternal Child Health
           MDH                        Minnesota Department of Health
           OT                           Occupational Therapy
           OTA                        Occupational Therapy Assistant
           PAS                        Pre-Admission Screening
           PCA                        Personal Care Attendant OR Personal Care Assistant
           PCPO                     Personal Care Provider Organization
           PDN                        Private Duty Nurse
           PHN                        Public Health Nurse
           PHNS                     Public Health Nursing Service
           PPO                       Preferred Provider Organization
           PT                           Physical Therapy 
           PTA                        Physical Therapy Assistant
           RN                          Registered Nurse
           RT                          Respiratory Therapy
           ST                          Speech Therapy
           SW                        Social Work 
           MSW                     Medical Social Worker
           TBI                         Traumatic Brain Injury
           TEFRA                   Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act
           UGS                       United Government Services
           VA                          Veterans Administration
           WIC                       Women, Infant and Children program