MEDPAR Principal Diagnosis Code

SAS Name
DGNS_1_CD

The diagnosis code identifying the beneficiary's principal diagnosis.

Comments

The principal diagnosis code is stored as the first diagnosis code (DGNSCD1).

Until 2009, there were up to 9 diagnosis codes; currently there are up to 25 (i.e., diagnosis codes 1 - 25).

ICD-10 diagnosis codes were used starting October 2015. The diagnosis version code (variables DGNS_VRSN_CD_1 - DGNS_VRSN_CD_25) indicates whether this diagnosis code is ICD-9 or ICD-10.

Source: NCH