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UB-04: Should we read into changes in 'source of referral' definition?

Patient Financial Services Weekly Advisor, March 16, 2007

Q: Regarding "FL15-Source of Referral for Admission or Visit," the definition in the UB-04 specifications is, "a code indicating the source of the referral for this admission or visit." The definition in the UB-92 specifications, that we currently use, is "code indicating the source of this admission or outpatient registration."

Is there a difference in how we should be using this field or not? Are we reading too much into the difference in verbiage?

A: The NUBC is currently reviewing the Source of Admission or Visit codes. There has been a great deal of confusion around the use of this data element, but it is becoming more important as pay-for-performance initiatives take hold.

The NUBC held a meeting on some proposed language changes for this field. We are planning to clarify how these codes should apply. The NUBC wants to include some further refinements to the proposed language changes for some of the codes and will be revisiting this issue at the May meeting.

At that time we hope to have final agreement on the approach. Fundamentally, we want the codes to represent the point of origin.

Editor's note: George Arges, senior director of the American Hospital Association, answered this question.

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