While surfing today, I ran across a website that provides resources to counselors in Washington State.  One of the resources I found there is the Dictionary of Initials, Acronyms, and Abbreviations Used by Counselors and Social Workers.  Here are two examples:

CAQH = Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare is a “nonprofit alliance of the nation’s leading health plans and networks that works to simplify healthcare administration.”  As part of this effort they have developed the “Universal Credentialing DataSource” which offers practitioners “a secure and simplified method of navigating the credentialing process.” [Thanks to the Noteworthy column, The Advocate, a publication of the AMACA, July/August 2006.]

NPI = National Provider Identifier, a ten-digit number which will become the standard unique health identifier for health care providers to use in filling and processing future health care claims–replacing common use of the provider’s  social security number or employer identification number.  The National Provider System will begin accepting applications for NPIs after May 23, 2005. Priority will be given to “covered entities.”  Providers who are not covered entities, but who wish to apply for NPIs, are asked to wait at least one year (5/23/06) before applying.   All “covered entities” must have and use their NPI number on all standard HIPAA transactions by May 23, 2007.[Thanks to Beth Powell in News from Washington in The Advocate, March 2004, an AMHCA publication.]“

If acronyms are outpacing your knowledge base, then this is a handy little dictionary to bookmark.  In it you will find both routine and obscure explanations for all acronyms in mental health.

It is also worth noting that in addition to being a terrific resource, the owners of this site are committed to continuing to add other acronyms that you might find useful.  If you have a suggestion, be sure you leave your suggestion here.

Tags: Abbreviations & Acronyms, CAQH, HIPAA, NPI