Which manual is used to record the patient's discharge status on UB-04 forms?

Which manual is used to record the patient's discharge status on UB-04 forms?

• A. NUBC Data Specifications Manual
• B. CMS 1450 Instruction Manual
• C. HIPAA Privacy Rule Guide
• D. ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines

Answer: (A)

The discharge status field on the UB-04 is a data element defined and standardized by the National Uniform Billing Committee. The official source for this element and its code values is the NUBC Data Specifications Manual. It determines which discharge status codes exist (such as regular discharge, discharge to another facility, or expired) and how they are reported in the UB-04’s discharge status field, ensuring consistent reporting across hospitals and payers. The CMS 1450 Instruction Manual explains how to fill out the form itself but does not set the official discharge status codes. The HIPAA Privacy Rule Guide covers patient privacy and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines cover diagnosis coding, neither of which define discharge status.

The discharge status field on the UB-04 is a data element defined and standardized by the National Uniform Billing Committee. The official source for this element and its code values is the NUBC Data Specifications Manual. It determines which discharge status codes exist (such as regular discharge, discharge to another facility, or expired) and how they are reported in the UB-04’s discharge status field, ensuring consistent reporting across hospitals and payers. The CMS 1450 Instruction Manual explains how to fill out the form itself but does not set the official discharge status codes. The HIPAA Privacy Rule Guide covers patient privacy and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines cover diagnosis coding, neither of which define discharge status.