TOTCHG_ED contains the edited total charge for emergency department services. Editing includes the following:

• Values are rounded to the nearest dollar;
• Zero charges are set to missing (.);
• If charges on treat-and-release ED visits are excessively low (ETCHG01) or high (ETCHG02), then TOTCHG_ED is set to inconsistent (.C). The allowable values for ED charges vary by year and can be found in the HCUP Quality Control Procedures document.

Not all HCUP data sources provide ED charge information. TOTCHG_ED is assigned as follows:

• If the NEDS record is from the SEDD (HCUPFILE="SEDD"), then TOTCHG_ED is equal to the total charge (TOTCHG) on the SEDD record.
• If the NEDS record is from the SID (HCUPFILE="SID"), then TOTCHG_ED is either the sum of detailed charges to the ED revenue centers 450-459 or is the reported total charge for ED services.