Classifications and Terminologies Newsletter, March 2025

New bulletin and updated coding tip: Homelessness

In March 2025, a new bulletin clarified that a definition from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness can be used for code assignment of Z59.0 Homelessness. This enables consistent and accurate data collection for DAD and NACRS.

Go to Coding direction: Homelessness

CIHI’s tip for coders on Z59.0 Homelessness has also been amended to include the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness definition of this status. It also reminds coders that this status is mandatory to capture whenever homelessness is documented.

Go to Homelessness - Tip for Coders (PDF)

New bulletin: Retiring prefix N

Prefix N will be retired effective April 1, 2025. Find out more in this bulletin.

Go to Coding direction: Retirement of prefix N

Updated bulletin: Influenza due to influenza A/H5N1 (avian influenza)

This bulletin clarifies that A/H5N1 [avian influenza] is the only type of influenza virus that is classified to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus and provides updated coding direction for classifying influenza A/H5N1 virus using the Canadian Emergency Department Diagnosis Shortlist (CED-DxS). This change will take effect April 1, 2025.

Go to Coding direction: Influenza due to influenza A/H5N1 (avian influenza)

Coming April 1: New version of the Emergency Department Intervention Value Set (EDVS)

Version 2.4 of the Emergency Department Intervention Value Set (EDVS) will be available April 1 via CIHI’s online store.

This new version aligns with the August and November 2024 release of the SNOMED CT Canadian Edition (SNOMED CT CA).

Note: Not all SNOMED CT CA terms include a French translation because, to date, not all of SNOMED CT CA has been translated.

Coming April 1: New version of the Canadian Emergency Department Diagnosis Shortlist (CED-DxS)

Version 8.3 of the Canadian Emergency Department Diagnosis Shortlist (CED-DxS) will be available April 1 via CIHI’s online store.

This version is updated to include the ICD-10-CA code J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus. It also includes the accompanying common diagnostic term Avian (Bird) Flu to classify influenza due to influenza A/H5N1 virus when using the CED-DxS.

Quick updates: International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11) in Canada

CIHI continues to evaluate Canada’s readiness for ICD-11 adoption.

Here are some quick updates on key ICD-11 projects currently underway:

Pan-Canadian ICD-11 Implementation Task Force: In the new fiscal year, CIHI will be moving forward with convening an ICD-11 Implementation Task Force, bringing together representatives from across the country. The task force will play a key role in providing insights on implementation considerations and guiding the decision-making process.
French translation: We are collaborating with WHO and with France’s WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) Collaborating Centre to validate the French translation of ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. This process will ensure that the French terms used are accurate and appropriate.
Impact assessment activities: We are actively conducting impact assessment activities related to ICD-11. Our efforts are focused on determining the need for a country-specific version; developing crosswalks to facilitate transition; and assessing adoption impacts on federal and jurisdictional data systems, as well as on national health indicators. We are also evaluating the clinical utility of ICD-11 across various health care settings, including primary health care and mental health.
New information sheets: 3 new information sheets are available on CIHI’s ICD-11 progress reports web page:

Updates: Canadian Coding Standards (CCS) modernization

In response to client feedback, CIHI continues to streamline and modernize the CCS. The aim of streamlining these coding standards is to make them easier to read, apply at the time of coding and explain.

All this work supports future coding practices, reduction of coder burden and interoperability for ease of data collection and sharing. Coding standards where direction is found in the classification will be retired in consultation and agreement with our National Coding Advisory Committee.

Currently, work is underway to streamline the remaining 102 coding standards. Also underway is the development of a mandatory ICD-10-CA code list and a new section solely for obstetrical/newborn coding direction.

For more information, refer to the spreadsheet Canadian Coding Standards Proposed Changes.

Go to Canadian Coding Standards Proposed Changes (XLSX)

Update: Canadian Classification of Health Interventions (CCI) modernization and streamlining

Work is ongoing to review specific rubrics and codes in CCI, as well as mandatory attributes. The aim is to determine their relevancy and to alleviate coder burden for collecting data that is not necessary.

Additional work is also underway to review pop-up notes and Code Also notes, determining whether they are required, redundant or outdated.

All of this work supports future coding practices, reduction of coder burden and enablement of interoperability for ease of data collection and sharing.

For more information, refer to the spreadsheet CCI Classification Enhancement Requests for Version 2027.

Go to CCI Classification Enhancement Requests for Version 2027 (XLSX)

External posting for changes to CCI

CCI Classification Enhancement Requests for Version 2027 has been updated and includes information on requests received for changes to CCI as of October 31, 2024.

This document provides information on each CCI change request, including the decision and rationale following classifications and terminologies review. This spreadsheet will be updated on a quarterly basis.

Go to CCI Classification Enhancement Requests for Version 2027 (XLSX)

Update: CIHI SNOMED CT CA to ICD-10-CA map release

The CIHI SNOMED CT CA to ICD-10-CA reference set and the Pan-Canadian Health Concern Value Set are being updated quarterly to align with the release of SNOMED CT CA.

The current versions align with the August 30 release of SNOMED CT CA and were published on November 6. These maps can be found on CIHI’s vendor licensing web page and in CIHI’s online store.

The next release is targeted for mid-March 2025 with updates that will align with the February 28 release of SNOMED CT CA.

To learn more about the maps and opportunities for pilot testing, please visit CIHI’s web page about SNOMED CT CA to classifications maps.

Go to the relevant maps page in CIHI’s online store

Go to CIHI’s SNOMED CT CA to classifications maps web page

Now available: ICD-10-CA/CCI public submission forms

Public submission forms for changes to ICD-10-CA and CCI are now available.

CCI requests

If you have a proposal for a change for CCI v2027, fill out and submit the Request for changes to CCI: Public submission form.

Changes must be received by March 31, 2026, and will be considered for addition to v2027.

ICD-10-CA requests

Public submission requests for ICD-10-CA are restricted to urgent/emergent requests only.

As previously communicated, ICD-10-CA will remain frozen at v2022; however, CIHI has made available U50–U99 Provisional codes for temporary assignment in Canada. These codes are to be used only at the direction of CIHI.

If you have an urgent or emergent request for change to ICD-10-CA, fill out and submit the Urgent/emergent request for changes to ICD-10-CA: Public submission form.

Alpha version evaluation complete: Canadian Classification Browser (CCB)

The Classifications and Terminologies department at CIHI has produced an alpha version of the Canadian Classification Browser (CCB).

The CCB is a one-stop web-based tool housing ICD-10-CA and CCI, along with related products such as the CCS.

Formal evaluation of the alpha version is complete and is guiding the refinement and calibration for the next iteration. Development of the beta version of the CCB is in progress.

Now available: Updated eQuery list of archived and revised questions

The updated eQuery Questions: Archived and Revised, and Coding Direction in eQuery Only is now available.

It lists archived coding questions and coding questions that were closed and posted or that were posted only for revised responses, or for which direction was provided in eQuery, between April 1, 2018, and December 30, 2024.

Go to eQuery Questions: Archived and Revised, and Coding Direction in eQuery Only (XLSX)