Overview

The goal of the Optum Emergency Department Claim (EDC) Analyzer is to achieve fair and consistent evaluation and management coding and reimbursement of facility outpatient emergency department claims. The EDC Analyzer™ systematically evaluates each ED visit level code in the context of other claim data (i.e., diagnosis codes, procedure codes, patient age, and patient sex*) to ensure that it reasonably relates to the intensity of hospital resource utilization as required per CMS Guidelines. Optum is committed to simplifying the health care system promoting transparency in the coding and reimbursement process. For more background information about the EDC Analyzer™, click here.

*Patient sex assigned at birth

The appropriate visit level of an ED claim is determined by the EDC Analyzer™ using the following 4-step process:

Step 1: Standard Weights

Determines the standard weight of the visit based on the patient’s demographic characteristics and presenting problem. Assigns a standard weight to the visit based on this evaluation. More...

Step 2: Extended Weights

Evaluates the intensity of the diagnostic workup performed by the facility based on diagnostic CPT codes. Assigns an extended weight to the visit based on this evaluation. More...

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Step 3: Patient Complexity Weights

Determines if the patient has any conditions or has experienced any circumstances that may increase the complexity of the visit. Assigns a patient complexity weight to the visit based on this determination. More...




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Final Step: Calculate Visit Level

The weights from steps 1 through 3 are summed and a visit level is assigned based on that summation. More...


To view how the EDC Analyzer™ processes specific claim scenarios, review the following examples:

  1. Claim Example 1

  2. Claim Example 2

  3. Claim Example 3

  4. Claim Example 4

  5. Claim Example 5