Frequently Used Terms
Navigate the complex world of long-term care (LTC) acronyms with ease! This page provides a comprehensive list of common acronyms and abbreviations commonly used in the LTC field. Whether you're a professional, student or curious about the terminology, this resource helps decode the jargon, making communication clearer and more efficient.
Acronyms by Category
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled Nursing Facility Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| AHCA | American Health Care Association |
| CASPER | Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting |
| COE-NF | Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities |
| ICF/IID | Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
| IHCA | Iowa Health Care Association |
| LTC | Long-Term Care |
| MDS | Minimum Data Set |
| NHA | Nursing Home Administrator |
| PASRR | Preadmission Screening and Resident Review |
| PBJ | Payroll Based Journal |
| PDPM | Patient-Driven Payment Model |
| PDGM | Patient-Driven Groupings Model |
| RAI | Resident Assessment Instrument |
| RCF | Residential Care Facility |
| RoP | Requirements of Participation |
| RPP | Respiratory Protection Program |
| RUG | Resource Utilization Group |
| SNF | Skilled Nursing Facility |
Assisted Living Programs
Assisted Living Program Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ALF | Assisted Living Facility |
| ALMC | Assisted Living Management Certification |
| ALP | Assisted Living Program |
| ICAL | Iowa Center for Assisted Living |
| ICF/IID | Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
| NCAL | National Center for Assisted Living |
| RCF | Residential Care Facility |
Home Health + Home Care Providers
Home Health + Home Care Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| EVV | Electronic Visit Verification |
| HCBS | Home- and Community-Based Services |
| HHA | Home Health Aide OR Agency |
| HHCCN | Home Health Change of Care Notice |
| HHVBP | Home Health Value-Based Purchasing |
| OASIS | Outcome and Assessment Information Set |
Care Continuum Communities
Care Continuum Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| AHCA | American Health Care Association |
| CASPER | Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting |
| ICF/IID | Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
| IHCA | Iowa Health Care Association |
| LTC | Long-Term Care |
| MDS | Minimum Data Set |
| PASRR | Preadmission Screening and Resident Review |
| PBJ | Payroll Based Journal |
| PDPM | Patient-Driven Payment Model |
| PDGM | Patient-Driven Groupings Model |
| RAI | Resident Assessment Instrument |
| RCF | Residential Care Facility |
| RoP | Requirements of Participation |
| RPP | Respiratory Protection Program |
| RUG | Resource Utilization Group |
Care Settings
Care Setting Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ACO | Accountable Care Organization |
| ALP | Assisted Living Program |
| CCRC | Continuing Care Retirement Community |
| HHA | Home Health Agency |
| ICF | Intermediate Care Facility |
| ICF/IID | Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
| LTC | Long-Term Care |
| MCO | Managed Care Organization |
| OMB | Office of Management and Budget |
| RCF | Residential Care Facility |
| SNF | Skilled Nursing Facility |
Organizations +
State Agencies
Organization + Agency Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| AHCA | American Health Care Association |
| CCSQ | Center for Clinical Standards and Quality |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CMS | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| COE-NF | Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities |
| DHHS | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services |
| DIAL | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing |
| IBON | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| IGOV | Iowa Governor |
| ICAL | Iowa Center for Assisted Living |
| ICHC | Iowa Center for Home Care |
| IHCA | Iowa Health Care Association |
| IHCQP | Iowa Health Care Quality Partners |
| IME | Iowa Medicaid Enterprise |
| IMPA | Iowa Medicaid Portal Access |
| IPALTC | Iowa Center for Post Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine |
| NCAL | National Center for Assisted Living |
| NHSN | National Healthcare Safety Network |
| OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| OSLTCO | Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman |
| SSA | State Survey Agency |
| VA | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
Regulatory + Clinical
Regulatory + Clinical Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| CASPER | Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting |
| CCDI | Chronic Confusion and Dementing Illness |
| CMI | Case Mix Index |
| CCN | CMS Certification Number |
| DME | Durable Medical Equipment |
| EBP | Enhanced Barrier Precaution |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
| IMMT | Interim medical monitoring and treatment |
| IPC | Infection Prevention and Control |
| LSC | Life Safety Code |
| MDS | Minimum Data Set |
| OASIS | Outcome and Assessment Information Set |
| OSLTCO | Office of the State LTC Ombudsman |
| PASRR | Preadmission Screening and Resident Review |
| PHM | Population Health Management |
| POA/DPOA | Power of Attorney/Durable Power of Attorney |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment |
| RAI | Resident Assessment Instrument |
| RoP | Requirements of Participation |
| RPP | Respiratory Protection Program |
| SING | Single Contact Repository |
| SSA | State Survey Agency |
| TBI | Traumatic Brain Injury |
Managed Care
Managed Care Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ACO | Accountable Care Organization |
| CDAC | Agency consumer-directed attendant care |
| CHOW | Change in Ownership |
| CMP | Civil Money Penalty |
| CON | Certificate of Need |
| DENC | Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage |
| DSNP | Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan |
| EOB | Explanation of Benefits |
| FFS | Fee-for-Service |
| HHCCN | Home Health Change of Care Notice |
| HHVBP | Home Health Value-Based Purchasing |
| HMO | Health Maintenance Organization |
| IL | Informational Letter |
| IESNP | Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plan |
| IMPA | Iowa Medicaid Portal Access |
| MCO | Managed Care Organization |
| NOMNC | Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage |
| ODF | Open Door Forum |
| PBJ | Payroll Based Journal |
| PDGM | Patient Driven Groupings Model |
| PDPM | Patient Driven Payment Model |
| POS | Plan of Service |
| PPO | Preferred Provider Organization |
| PPS | Prospective Payment System |
| QAAF | Quality Assurance Assessment Fee |
| RAC | Recovery Audit Contractor |
| RUG | Resource Utilization Group |
| SNP | Institutional Special Needs Plan |
| UB-04 | Uniform Billing Form |
| VBP | Value Based Purchasing |
Quality Improvement
Quality Improvement Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| CCSQ | Center for Clinical Standards and Quality |
| HARP | HCQIS Access, Roles and Profile |
| HCQIS | Healthcare Quality Information System |
| ITA | Intent to Apply |
| iQIES | Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System |
| QAPI | Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement |
| QI | Quality Improvement |
| QIO | Quality Improvement Organization |
| QM | Quality Measure |
| QRP | Quality Reporting Program |
Professionals +
Staff Roles
Staff Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ALMC | Assisted Living Management Certification |
| AG | Attorney General |
| AP | Activity Professional |
| CMA | Certified Medication Assistant |
| CNA | Certified Nursing Assistant |
| COTA | Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant |
| DON | Director of Nursing |
| HHA | Home Health Agency OR Aide |
| LPN | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| MD | Doctor of Medicine |
| MSW | Medical Social Worker |
| NHA | Nursing Home Administrator |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| OT | Occupational Therapist |
| PA | Physician Assistant |
| PT | Physical Therapist |
| PTA | Physical Therapy Assistant |
| RAC-CT | Resident Assessment Coordinator – Certified |
| RD | Registered Dietician |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist |
All Frequently Used Terms
All Frequently Used Terms
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ACO | Accountable Care Organization |
| ADL | Activities of Daily Living |
| AG | Attorney General |
| AHCA | American Health Care Association |
| ALP | Assisted Living Program |
| CASPER | Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting |
| CCCI | Chronic Confusion and Dementing Illness |
| CCN | CMS Certification Number |
| CCSQ | Center for Clinical Standards and Quality |
| CDAC | Agency consumer-directed attendant care |
| CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| CEU | Continuing Education Unit |
| CHOW | Change in Ownership |
| CMA | Certified Medication Aide |
| CMI | Case Mix Index |
| CMP | Civil Money Penalty |
| CMS | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
| CNA | Certified Nursing Assistant |
| COE-NF | Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities |
| CON | Certificate of Need |
| COTA | Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant |
| DHHS | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services |
| DIAL | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing |
| DME | Durable Medical Equipment |
| DON | Director of Nursing |
| DSNP | Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan |
| EBP | Enhanced Barrier Precaution |
| EOB | Explanation of Benefits |
| EVV | Electronic Visit Verification |
| FFS | Fee-for-Service |
| HARP | HCQIS Access, Roles and Profile |
| HCBS | Home- and Community-Based Services |
| HCQIS | Healthcare Quality Information System |
| HHA | Home Health Aide OR Agency |
| HHVBP | Home Health Value-Based Purchasing |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
| HMO | Health Maintenance Organization |
| IBON | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| ICAL | Iowa Center for Assisted Living |
| ICF | Intermediate Care Facility |
| ICF/IID | Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities |
| ICHC | Iowa Center for Home Care |
| IESNP | Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plan |
| IGOV | Iowa Governor |
| IHCA | Iowa Health Care Association |
| IHCQP | Iowa Health Care Quality Partners |
| IL | Informational Letter |
| IME | Iowa Medicaid Enterprise |
| IMMT | Interim medical monitoring and treatment |
| IMPA | Iowa Medicaid Portal Access |
| IPALTC | Iowa Center for Post Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine |
| IPC | Infection Prevention and Control |
| iQIES | Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System |
| ITA | Intent to Apply |
| LPN | Licensed Practical Nurse |
| LSC | Life Safety Code |
| LTC | Long-Term Care |
| MCO | Managed Care Organization |
| MD | Doctor of Medicine |
| MDS | Minimum Data Set |
| MSW | Medical Social Worker |
| NCAL | National Center for Assisted Living |
| NHA | Nursing Home Administrator |
| NHSN | National Healthcare Safety Network |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| OASIS | Outcome and Assessment Information Set |
| ODF | Open Door Forum |
| OSLTCO | Office of the State LTC Ombudsman |
| OT | Occupational Therapist |
| PA | Physician Assistant |
| PASRR | Preadmission Screening and Resident Review |
| PBJ | Payroll Based Journal |
| PDGM | Patient-Driven Groupings Model |
| PDPM | Patient-Driven Payment Model |
| PHM | Population Health Management |
| POA/DPOA | Power of Attorney/Durable Power of Attorney |
| POS | Plan of Service |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment |
| PPO | Preferred Provider Organization |
| PPS | Prospective Payment System |
| PT | Physical Therapist |
| PTA | Physical Therapy Assistant |
| QAAF | Quality Assurance Assessment Fee |
| QAPI | Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement |
| QI | Quality Improvement |
| QIO | Quality Improvement Organization |
| QM | Quality Measure |
| QRP | Quality Reporting Program |
| RAC | Recovery Audit Contractor |
| RAC-CT | Resident Assessment Coordinator – Certified |
| RAI | Resident Assessment Instrument |
| RCF | Residential Care Facility |
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| RoP | Requirements of Participation |
| RPP | Respiratory Protection Program |
| RUG | Resource Utilization Group |
| SING | Single Contact Repository |
| SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist |
| SNF | Skilled Nursing Facility |
| SNP | Institutional Special Needs Plan |
| SSA | State Survey Agency |
| TBI | Traumatic Brain Injury |
| UB-04 | Uniform Billing Form |
| VA | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| VBP | Value-Based Purchasing |