Top 5 Most Used Abbreviations in Home Health Care

At the first case conference I attended, I kept hearing these abbreviations being thrown around. If you're new to home health care, you will run into several commonly used abbreviations. What are they and what do they mean? Here are the top 5 abbreviations you should know

1. SOC (Start of Care)

The SOC is the initial assessment and initiation of services a home health care agency provides to a patient. It’s also referred to as the admission.

2. ROC (Resumption of Care)

On occasion, a patient's home health services can be interrupted. This could happen due to hospitalization, skilled nursing facility stays, or other reasons where care was temporarily paused. Therefore, a ROC must be completed. 

3. OASIS (Outcome and Assessment Information Set)

OASIS is a standardized assessment tool used by Medicare-certified home health agencies to collect and report data on patient outcomes. It helps evaluate the patient's health status and determine the appropriate care plan. 

4. LUPA (Low Utilization Payment Adjustment)

LUPA refers to the reduction in payment made to a home health agency, by Medicare, when a patient doesn't meet the required number of visits during a certain time frame.

5. NOMNC (Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage)

NOMNC is a notice given to Medicare patients when their home healthcare services are about to end. For example, a week before discharge, your manager tells you “Remember to have your patient sign the NOMNC.” It informs them of their right to request a review if they disagree with the decision to terminate services.

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Three Ways to Prepare for Your Initial Home Visit

1. Pre-Visit Call

Contact your patient the night before your scheduled visit. If you can't reach them, leave a message and follow up with another attempt. A pre-visit call serves multiple purposes. It allows you to introduce yourself, build rapport, and confirm the patient's address. It also provides an opportunity to complete the Covid-19 questionnaire. Lastly, this call helps you better plan your workday and ensures a smoother start to your session.

2. Review Patient Chart

Before heading to your patient's home, review their medical history, diagnosis, reason for referral, and any previous session notes. Familiarizing yourself with this information gives you a better overview of the patient before stepping inside.

3. Maintain Supplies

Ensure your car and therapy bag are stocked with essential supplies. Items like gloves, masks, and disinfectant wipes are your best friends. Most importantly, you need to make sure nothing is expired. Regularly check the expiration dates. I keep extra copies of Home Exercise Programs (HEP) or educational materials as an occupational therapist. Equipment such as a pulse oximeter and blood pressure monitor should also be readily accessible.