CIC Present on Admission (POA) Indicators and Reporting 2

Question 1

Which POA indicator is assigned when the provider is clinically unable to determine whether a condition was present on admission or not?

Accepted Answer

W

Answer

POA indicator 'W' is used when clinical documentation indicates the provider cannot clinically determine whether the condition was present on admission.

Question 2

A patient is admitted for elective hip replacement. On post-operative day 2, a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is diagnosed. What POA indicator applies to the CAUTI?

Accepted Answer

N — not present at admission

Answer

Since the CAUTI developed after admission (post-op day 2), it was NOT present at admission, making POA indicator 'N' appropriate.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions is included in CMS's list of Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs)?

Accepted Answer

Surgical site infection following certain orthopedic procedures when not POA

Answer

Surgical site infections following certain procedures are on CMS's HAC list and affect reimbursement when assigned a POA indicator of 'N.'

Question 4

POA indicator reporting is required on which type of claims?

Accepted Answer

Inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) hospital claims

Answer

POA indicators are required on inpatient hospital claims subject to the IPPS, primarily Medicare Part A inpatient admissions.

Question 5

A patient is admitted via the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. The external cause code for the accident would receive which POA indicator?

Accepted Answer

1 — exempt from POA reporting

Answer

External cause codes (V, W, X, Y codes) are exempt from POA reporting and receive the indicator '1.'

CIC - Certified Inpatient Coder Practice Test

CIC - Certified Inpatient Coder Practice Test

CIC Present on Admission (POA) Indicators and Reporting 2