Residence remote from hospital or other health care facility

This code indicates that a patient's primary residence is geographically distant from the nearest hospital or other healthcare facility capable of providing necessary medical services. This distance can pose a barrier to accessing care, impacting treatment adherence, follow-up appointments, and emergency services. It highlights a logistical challenge in healthcare delivery due to the patient's location.

This code is appropriate when a patient's remote residence is identified as a contributing factor to their health status, treatment plan, or access to care. It can be used to explain difficulties in scheduling appointments, delays in receiving urgent care, or the need for specialized transportation arrangements. This is often relevant in rural health settings or for patients requiring frequent specialized care not available locally.

• Assign this code as a supplementary factor code, never as a primary diagnosis.
• Document in the patient's record how the remote residence impacts their care plan or health outcomes.
• Consider using this code in conjunction with other codes indicating social determinants of health or access to care issues.