This variable is contained in the following files: Carrier (Encounter, Preliminary File), Durable Medical Equipment (Encounter, Preliminary File), Home Health Agency (Encounter, Preliminary File), Inpatient File (Encounter, Preliminary File), Outpatient (Encounter, Preliminary File), Skilled Nursing Facility (Encounter, Preliminary File), Carrier (Encounter, Final File), Durable Medical Equipment (Encounter, Final File), Home Health Agency (Encounter, Final File), Inpatient File (Encounter, Final File), Outpatient (Encounter, Final File), Skilled Nursing Facility (Encounter, Final File)
SAS Name
PRNCPAL_DGNS_CD
The diagnosis code identifying the diagnosis, condition, problem or other reason for the admission/encounter/visit shown in the medical record to be chiefly responsible for the services provided.
This data is also redundantly stored as the first occurrence of the diagnosis code (variable called ICD_DGNS_CD1).
Source: Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs)