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Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Reader Questions-6 Factors Go Into MS-DRG Assignment

Published on Fri May 11, 2012

Question: I've heard different opinions on what factors are considered during MS-DRG assignment. Can you clarify that for me?
Mississippi Subscriber
Answer: You should assign one MS-DRG to each inpatient stay. Several variables are considered in MS-DRG assignment: The principal diagnosis Additional diagnoses The principal procedure performed Additional procedures performed The patient's gender Discharge status
The diagnoses and procedures assigned by ICD-9 codes determine the correct MS-DRG assignment. Although some coders think the patient's age is a factor in MS-DRG assignment, it is not.
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