Unique Encounter Join Key

This variable is contained in the following files:

Encounter Skilled Nursing Facility Encounter Outpatient Encounter Inpatient

SAS Name

ENC_JOIN_KEY

This is a unique join key assigned by CCW/CMS to assist the user in joining the base claim to a line claim for each encounter record.

Comments

Each IP, SNF, HH or OP Encounter base record has at least one revenue center record.

Each Carrier or DME Encounter base record has at least one line record.

All revenue center records or lines on a given encounter record have the same ENC_JOIN_KEY. It is used to link the revenue lines together and/or to the base claim.

Source: CCW