Which Form Locator records Patient Discharge Status on the UB-04 form?

• A. Form Locator 16
• B. Form Locator 18-28
• C. Form Locator 17
• D. Form Locator 29

Answer: (C)

Discharge status is the disposition of the patient at the time of leaving the hospital. On the UB-04, the field that records this information is Form Locator 17. This locator captures where the patient goes after discharge or what happened at discharge (for example, discharged to home, to another care facility, left AMA, or died in the hospital). Payers rely on this field to understand post-discharge plans and determine payment pathways, so having the correct locator consistently used is essential.