This DRG code book is no longer published in a two volume set. An appendix is now available on the Optum Product Update Page.
The DRG Expert 2027 has been a trusted and comprehensive reference to the DRG classification system for more than 25 years.
Organized by major diagnostic category (MDC), this convenient and innovative book layout follows the logical MS-DRG decision process. The DRG Expert 2027 is a must-have reference for those who need to verify DRG information and accurately assign MS-DRGs concurrently or retrospectively based on ICD-10-CM methodology, which goes into effect October 1, 2026.
Designed to work hand-in-hand with the DRG Desk Reference 2027, these two products will answer all your DRG questions for all inpatient stays.
Exclusive Optum Edge features found in this Optum360 DRG code book:
- Optum Edge — Visual indicators notify you of special alerts. Easily identify CC and MCC status, special payment status, transfer DRG status, surgical/medical partitioning, and other requirements.
- Optum Edge — Medicare CMS rate structure. Updated to provide current relative weight (RW), geometric mean length-of-stay (GMLOS), and arithmetic mean length-of-stay (AMLOS) for each MS-DRG under IPPS.
- Optum Edge — MS-DRG structure. Selection of the correct MS-DRG begins with knowing each MS-DRGs accurate and complete description and every diagnosis and/or procedure code that defines that MS-DRG.
- Optum Edge — MS-DRG Listed by MDC. Identify the MS-DRG by its major diagnostic category and page number it appears on in the DRG Expert.
Additional features and benefits of DRG Expert include:
- Surgical hierarchy table. Quickly find the DRG hierarchy for multiple procedure cases to help you assign the code that reflects the greatest resource utilization.
- Easily locate the correct DRG. Search the numeric indexes of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes to quickly identify a DRG, and the page in the DRG Expert where it is located
- Product Updates. Significant DRG changes and updates will be made available on the Optum Product Update page for DRG Expert customers.
- Searchable PDFs. The following valuable tools are available to download from the Optum Product Update page.
- DRG decision trees. Optum created DRG decision trees illustrate the DRG structure for each MDC.
- MCCs and CCs. Complete list of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes that are considered CCs and MCCs.
- Average national payment. Listed for every MS-DRG as a quick benchmark comparison.