| Code | Code value |
|---|---|
|
Y
|
Diagnosis was present at the time of admission (POA)
|
|
N
|
Diagnosis was not present at the time of admission
|
|
U
|
Documentation is insufficient to determine if condition was present on
admission
|
|
W
|
Provider is unable to clinically determine whether condition was present on
admission
|
This variable is contained in the following files: Inpatient File (Encounter, Preliminary File), Skilled Nursing Facility (Encounter, Preliminary File), Inpatient File (Encounter, Final File), Skilled Nursing Facility (Encounter, Final File)
SAS Name
CLM_E_POA_IND_SW9
The present on admission (POA) indicator code associated with the diagnosis E codes (principal and secondary).
In response to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, CMS began to distinguish between hospitalization diagnoses that occurred prior to versus during the admission. The objective was to eventually not pay hospitals more if the patient acquired a condition (e.g., infection) during the admission. This present on admission (POA) field is used to indicate whether the diagnosis was present on admission.
Source: Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs)