Central Distributor SEDD: Description of Data Elements

U_EPO - Utilization Flag: Erythropoietin

Documentation Sections:

General Notes

Uniform Values

State Specific Notes

General Notes

This utilization flag is specific to Erythropoietin (EPO), a naturally occurring hormone, produced by the kidneys, which stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells. EPO also is available as a therapeutic agent used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and HIV-infected individuals receiving AZT therapy. It is also indicated for use in patients scheduled to undergo elective, non-cardiac, non-vascular surgery. The Utilization Flag software creates 30 data elements that reveal additional information about use of health care services. All of the utilization flags use Uniform Billing (UB-04) revenue codes. Ten of the utilization flags use ICD-9-CM procedure codes. Another ten of the utilization flags use the procedure Clinical Classification Software (CCS). The remaining ten utilization flags do not use procedural information. More information on the Utilization Flags is available under Tools & Software on the HCUP-US Web site. The utilization flag for EPO is assigned using only revenue codes and is not impacted by the switch from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-PCS procedure coding in the fourth quarter of 2015.

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Uniform Values

Variable Description Value Value Description U_EPO Utilization Flag: Erythropoietin 0 Service is not reported on the record 1 Service is indicated only by a revenue code 2 Service is indicated only by a procedure code or CCS procedure category 3 Service is indicated both by a revenue code and procedure code or CCS procedure category. .A Invalid

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State Specific Notes

None

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