encounter class

enc_cls

clinical

Updated 5/15/2026

Definition

Standardized classification code categorizing the setting or type of a healthcare service interaction, such as inpatient, outpatient, emergency, or ambulatory. Used in EHR systems, claims adjudication platforms, and FHIR-based data models to apply appropriate billing rules, coding guidelines, and reimbursement methodologies.

Standard Abbreviation

enc_cls

Database Usage

-- Example column naming
CREATE TABLE claims (
  clm_id VARCHAR(50),
  enc_cls VARCHAR(20),  -- encounter class (max 20 chars)
  ...
);

-- Example in SELECT
SELECT
  clm_id,
  enc_cls as encounter_class
FROM claims;

Common uses in healthcare data

Risk stratification and population health analytics
CMS-HCC risk adjustment and RAF score calculation
Quality measure attribution and HEDIS reporting
Clinical data warehouse schema design
Value-based care contract performance tracking

Example database column name

ISO-11179 snake_case standard

-- Recommended column name
enc_cls

-- Example DDL
CREATE TABLE healthcare_data (
  record_id   VARCHAR(50)   NOT NULL,
  enc_cls      VARCHAR(20),  -- encounter class (max 20 chars)
  created_dt  TIMESTAMP     NOT NULL DEFAULT NOW()
);

Column names follow the ISO-11179 naming convention: lowercase, underscore-separated, using the standard abbreviation as a prefix where applicable.

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