Coding direction: Retirement of prefix N

April 1, 2025 — This bulletin communicates the retirement of prefix N.

Effective April 2025

Coding direction for DAD and NACRS

Effective April 1, 2025, prefix N is being retired. Therefore, as of April 1, 2025, it is no longer mandatory to apply prefix N to a code from category L89 Decubitus [pressure] ulcer and pressure area whenever pressure ulcer is documented solely by a regulated allied health professional.

It will still be mandatory to assign a code from category L89 Decubitus [pressure] ulcer and pressure area, regardless of who documented the pressure ulcer and regardless of significance.

This coding direction is intended for discharges that are abstracted as of April 1, 2025, for the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) and National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS).