Overview
Patient discharge status code 70 indicates that the patient was discharged or transferred to another type of health care institution not defined elsewhere in the code list. [1] This code serves as a catch‑all for transfers to institutional settings that do not fit any of the more specific codes (01–69, 81–94). [1] It is intended for health care institutions that are not described by any other defined category, ensuring that the discharge location is still identified even when no precise match exists. [1]
When to Use
Use code 70 when the patient is discharged or transferred to a health care institution that does not correspond to any of the other defined discharge status codes. [1] This code should only be selected after verifying that the receiving facility does not meet the definitions of codes 02 (short‑term hospital), 03 (SNF), 04 (custodial care), 05 (cancer/children’s hospital), 06 (home health), 43 (federal facility), 50/51 (hospice), 61 (swing bed), 62 (IRF), 63 (LTCH), 64 (Medicaid nursing facility), 65 (psychiatric hospital), 66 (CAH), or any other listed code. [1] The code explicitly excludes any institution already defined in the code list. [1] Providers should document the type of receiving institution in the medical record to support the selection of code 70. [1]
Step‑by‑Step Claim Example
Step 4: Submit the claim according to payer requirements. The medical record should document why the receiving institution does not fit any defined code. [1] This example illustrates using code 70 as a last‑resort code for transfers to institutions not otherwise defined. [1]
Common Mistakes & Audit Red Flags
A common mistake is using code 70 when a more specific code exists, such as applying it for a transfer to a skilled nursing facility because the provider was unaware of code 03. [1] Auditors may flag high usage of code 70, as it can indicate a lack of understanding of the code set or an attempt to avoid specificity. [1] Another mistake is using code 70 for transfers to home health (code 06) or hospice (codes 50/51). [1] Providers should ensure the receiving institution truly does not fit any other defined category. [1] Red flags also arise if code 70 is used for discharges that are clearly to a short‑term general hospital or other defined setting. [1] To avoid audits, providers must maintain clear documentation of the receiving institution’s type and why no more specific code applies. [1]
Related Codes/Fields
The patient discharge status field on the UB‑04 (often referred to as Field 17) contains a code from the list maintained by CMS. [2] The table below shows selected related codes frequently used alongside or in contrast to code 70.
| Code | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Discharged to home or self‑care (routine discharge) | [1] |
| 02 | Discharged/transferred to a short‑term general hospital for inpatient care | [1] |
| 03 | Discharged/transferred to skilled nursing facility (SNF) with Medicare certification | [1] |
| 62 | Discharged/transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) including rehab distinct part units | [1] |
| 65 | Discharged/transferred to a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric distinct part unit | [1] |
| 70 | Discharged/transferred to another type of health care institution not defined elsewhere | [1] |
| 81 | Discharged to home with a planned acute care hospital inpatient readmission | [1] |
Note: The full list includes codes 01–94 with planned readmission variants. Providers should consult the complete list to ensure accurate selection. [1]
References
[1] Noridian Patient Status — https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jea/topics/claim-submission/patient-discharge-status-codes
[2] MassHealth UB-04 Guide — https://www.mass.gov/doc/ub-04-billing-guide-0/download
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Last Updated: 2026-06-03
Sources: CMS Pub. 100-04 Chapter 25, NUBC Official UB-04 Manual, Medicare Contractor Bulletins (Noridian, Palmetto, CGS)