The POA indicator must be assigned to which types of diagnoses for inpatient claims?

The correct answer highlights the requirements for the Present on Admission (POA) indicator specifically concerning inpatient claims. The POA indicator must be assigned to both principal and secondary diagnoses for inpatient admissions. This requirement is particularly important for maintaining proper documentation and coding standards, as it influences the quality of care metrics and reimbursement policies.

In the coding process, designating whether a diagnosis was present on admission helps determine the severity of illness and the appropriateness of hospital resources used for treatment. For Medicare patients, this is crucial since it directly impacts reimbursement rates and the facility’s performance metrics.

The option correctly states that the POA indicator applies to both principal and secondary diagnoses in the context of inpatient admissions, which reflects the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This alignment ensures comprehensive and accurate reporting for all hospital admissions, which contributes to enhanced patient care and effective financial management of healthcare services.

In broader terms, the distinction between inpatient and outpatient admissions in the other options helps clarify that certain coding standards and indicators, like POA, are central to inpatient admissions where diagnosis reporting is mandatory for medical claims.