TOTCHG_IP contains the edited total charge for the inpatient stay, including the emergency department charges. Editing includes the following:

• Values are rounded to the nearest dollar;
• Zero charges are set to missing (.);
• If total charges are excessively low (ETCHG01) or high (ETCHG02), then TOTCHG_IP is set to inconsistent (.C). The limits for excessively low and high total charges vary by year and can be found in the HCUP Quality Control Procedures document.

Generally, inpatient total charges (TOTCHG_IP) do not include professional fees and non-covered charges. If the data source provides total charges with professional fees, then the professional fees are removed from the charge during HCUP processing.