Intro to the UHDDS
What is the UHDDS definition of principal diagnosis? - The condition established after study to be
chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital for care.
What is the difference between a "complication" and a "comorbidity" ? - A complication is an
additional diagnosis that describes a condition arising after the beginning of the hospital observation and
treatment and then modifying the course of the patient's illness or the medical care required. A
comorbidity is an additional diagnosis that describes a preexisting condition that because of its presence
with a specific principal diagnosis will likely cause an increase in the patient's length of stay in the
hospital.
What is the maximum number of diagnosis codes that can appear on a UB-04 claim form for a hospital
inpatient ? - Grand total of 22.
18 Diagnosis codes + 3 E codes + 1 admitting diagnosis code
What is the purpose of the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set and what healthcare organizations
collect UHDDS ? - To establish a minimum common core of data to be collected on individual
acute care short term hospital discharges in Medicare and Medicaid programs. UHDDS sought to
improve the uniformity and comparability of hospital discharge data. All non-outpatient settings
including acute care, short term care, long term care, and psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies,
rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes.
What is the maximum number of procedure codes that can appear on a UB-04 claim form for a hospital
inpatient ? - 6 procedure codes
What is the UHDDS definition of other diagnoses ? - Conditions that coexist at the time of
admission, that develop subsequently, or that affect the treatment received and/or the length of stay.
Diagnoses are to be excluded that relate to an earlier episode that has no bearing on the current hospital
stay.
What is the UHDDS definition of principal diagnosis? - The condition established after study to be
chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital for care.
What is the difference between a "complication" and a "comorbidity" ? - A complication is an
additional diagnosis that describes a condition arising after the beginning of the hospital observation and
treatment and then modifying the course of the patient's illness or the medical care required. A
comorbidity is an additional diagnosis that describes a preexisting condition that because of its presence
with a specific principal diagnosis will likely cause an increase in the patient's length of stay in the
hospital.
What is the maximum number of diagnosis codes that can appear on a UB-04 claim form for a hospital
inpatient ? - Grand total of 22.
18 Diagnosis codes + 3 E codes + 1 admitting diagnosis code
What is the purpose of the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set and what healthcare organizations
collect UHDDS ? - To establish a minimum common core of data to be collected on individual
acute care short term hospital discharges in Medicare and Medicaid programs. UHDDS sought to
improve the uniformity and comparability of hospital discharge data. All non-outpatient settings
including acute care, short term care, long term care, and psychiatric hospitals, home health agencies,
rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes.
What is the maximum number of procedure codes that can appear on a UB-04 claim form for a hospital
inpatient ? - 6 procedure codes
What is the UHDDS definition of other diagnoses ? - Conditions that coexist at the time of
admission, that develop subsequently, or that affect the treatment received and/or the length of stay.
Diagnoses are to be excluded that relate to an earlier episode that has no bearing on the current hospital
stay.
