The Procedure Classes provide users with an easy way to categorize ICD-10-PCS procedure codes into one of four broad categories:

• Minor Diagnostic: Non-operating room procedures that are diagnostic (e.g., BW2800Z CT scan of head using high osmolar contrast)
• Minor Therapeutic - Non-operating room procedures that are therapeutic (e.g., 079030Z drainage of head lymphatic, percutaneous approach)
• Major Diagnostic - All procedures considered valid operating room procedures by the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) grouper and that are performed for diagnostic reasons (e.g., 00B00ZX excision of brain, open approach, diagnostic)
• Major Therapeutic - All procedures considered valid operating room procedures by the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) grouper and that are performed for therapeutic reasons (e.g., 021008W bypass coronary artery, one artery from aorta with zooplastic tissue, open approach).

The availability of the Procedure Classes on the HCUP databases varies across data years:

• Starting in data year 2020, the Procedure Classes are available on all HCUP inpatient databases as the data element array PCLASSn and are based on ICD-10-PCS coding.
• For data year 2019, the Procedure Classes are only available on the HCUP nationwide inpatient databases as the data element array PCLASSn and are based on ICD-10-PCS coding.
• From data years 2016-2018, the Procedure Classes were not included on the HCUP databases because the ICD-10-PCS version of the tool was considered in beta status.
• For data year 2015 quarter 4 only, the Procedure Classes (assigned by a preliminary ICD-10-PCS beta version of the software) were stored in the data element I10_PCLASSn.
• Prior to data year 2015 quarter 4, the Procedure Classes were stored in the data element PCLASSn and based on ICD-9-CM coding.

For more information, please refer to the Procedure Classes for ICD-10-PCS page of the HCUP-US website under Tools and Software.