This utilization flag is for ultrasounds performed on all areas of the body except the heart. The utilization flag U_ECHO is of an ultrasound of the heart. The Utilization Flag software creates 30 data elements that reveal additional information about use of health care services. All of the utilization flags use Uniform Billing (UB-04) revenue codes. Ten of the utilization flags use ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-PCS procedure codes. Another ten of the utilization flags use the procedure Clinical Classification Software (CCS). The remaining ten utilization flags do not use procedural information. More information on the Utilization Flags is available under Tools & Software on the HCUP-US Web site.
The utilization flag for ultrasound is assigned using ICD-9-CM procedure codes in addition to revenue codes. For data in the fourth quarter of 2015 with ICD-10-PCS procedure codes, the utilization flag for ultrasound is assigned using only revenue codes. For data beginning in 2016, the data element is renamed with the prefix I10_to indicate the use of ICD-10-PCS procedures in the assignment.
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