Congregate Care

Care to elderly, disabled and chronically ill individuals who live in a variety of multi-unit housing settings, such as adult homes and assisted-living facilities.

Coordinator of Care (COC)

At the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, a Coordinator of Care (COC) is a nurse who manages the plan of care for a patient within the home. The COC is available to answer patients' questions and resolve any issues that arrise concerning home care.

Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHA's)

New York State licenses two types of organizations that provide home health care: Certified Home Health Agencies or CHHA's and Licensed Home Care Services Agencies or LHCSA's. Only the employees of such agencies are permitted to provide hands-on care to patients, from help with bathing to the administration of medications. Certified Home Health Care Agencies provide part-time, intermittent health care and support services to patients who need intermediate and skilled health care. Certified Home Health Care Agencies also provide long-term nursing and home health aide services and can either provide or arrange for other services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical supplies and equipment and social worker and nutrition services.

The difference between a Certified Home Health Care Agency (CHHA) and a Licensed Home Health Care Agency (LHCSA) is that a Certified Home Health Care Agency can bill Medicare and a Licensed Home Health Care Agency cannot. As a result, a Certified Home Health Care Agency has to abide by different regulations and guidelines than a Licensed Home Health Care Agency. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York is an example of a Certified Home Health Care Agency; Partners in Care, which is the private care division of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, is an example of a Licensed Home Health Care Agency.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CMS is responsible for, among other programs, Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA. The agency was formerly known as HCFA.

Case Manager

A nurse, doctor, or social worker who coordinates services for patients and providers.

Case Management

The monitoring and coordination of treatment rendered to patients who have a specific diagnosis or who require extensive services.