Utilization Flags
Utilization Flag software is one in a family of databases and software tools developed as part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), a Federal-State-Industry partnership sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. HCUP databases, tools, and software inform decision making at the national, State, and community levels.
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The Utilization Flag software creates 30 data elements that reveal additional information about use of health care services. By combining information from ICD-9-CM procedure codes and Uniform Billing (UB-04) revenue codes, it is possible to obtain a more complete picture of utilization of services rendered in health care settings such as hospitals, emergency departments, and ambulatory surgery centers. This documentation provides an overview of the following:
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The Utilization Flags can be employed to study issues such as use of intensive care units and to more reliably examine utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic services, beyond the information that can be gleaned from ICD-9-CM procedure codes. A broad range of services, from simple diagnostic tests to resource-intense procedures, occur in the inpatient and outpatient hospital setting. In administrative health care data based on claims, use of services may be reported using ICD-9-CM procedure codes, charges to the revenue centers of the hospital in which services were performed, or both. ICD-9-CM procedure codes provide information on health care services, but there is concern about under-reporting certain procedures, such as non-invasive, diagnostic services. In addition, ICD-9-CM codes do not provide information on some services, such as stays in intensive care units (ICU) and psychiatric units. UB-04 revenue codes identify services and accommodations using revenue codes that are accompanied by charge information specific to the revenue center. Detailed charges based on revenue codes provide additional evidence that the patient received a specific service. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Using a combination of the UB-04 revenue codes, ICD-9-CM procedure codes, and Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) procedure categories, 30 utilization flags were developed for a range of services. The following table lists the flags by type:
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Both SAS and SPSS programs are available for assigning the utilization flags to administrative databases. The following table lists the required data elements. Data Elements Required for Assigning the Utilization Flags
The SAS utilization flag assignment program allows the revenue codes either to be included in the same file as the procedure codes and CCS, or to be in a separate file. In the HCUP State databases available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor, the revenue codes are stored in a separate file. The SPSS version of the program requires that the revenue codes be included in the same file as the procedure codes. The SAS and SPSS programs assign the 30 utilization flags, output the resulting data set, and calculate summary and detailed statistics for each flag. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shift-click from this Web page: Your browser should support loading the software for Utilization Flags and the technical documentation from this Web page. To download the files from this Web page, click on the following links with the right mouse button and select "Save Link As" (Netscape) or "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer). After saving a file, find the file by using Windows® Explorer (Windows® 98/95/NT) or File Manager (Windows® 3.x) and then open it by double-clicking on it. Detailed Description of the Utilization Flags
Appendices: A-F (PDF file, 452 KB). This Methods Series details the initial development of the utilization flags. Revenue code categories included in the SAS and SPSS programs are reviewed annually and updated as appropriate.
SPSS software programs (in ZIP format) updated September 2009. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Questions regarding the Utilization Flag software may be directed to HCUP User Support through the following channels:
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Internet Citation: Utilization Flags. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). November 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/toolssoftware/util_flags/utilflag.jsp. |
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If you have comments, suggestions, and/or questions, please contact hcup@ahrq.gov. |
Last modified 11/19/10 |