SDoH – Social Determinants of Health
Awareness in the healthcare arena for SDoH (Social Determinants of Health) showed up in the AMA revamped the E/M codes for the office/clinic setting in 2021. It was introduced to medical coders as an added bullet in the risk category for moderate MDM (external link) (Medical Decision Making).
The Harris County Medical Society (external link) maintains a dedicated page of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) resources. These tools help clinicians screen for and identify SDoH-related needs, particularly within underserved patient populations.
In addition, for coders, auditors, and clinical documentation integrity professionals, these resources establish a clear framework for what should appear in the medical record to support accurate ICD‑10‑CM diagnosis coding and CPT procedure reporting related to SDoH.
These resources also outline the clinical documentation elements required to support accurate ICD‑10‑CM diagnosis coding and CPT procedure reporting related to SDoH.
Economic Instability
- Food Insecurity
- Housing
- Employment
- Transportation
- Trouble Paying for Prescription(s)
Education Access and Quality
- Opportunities for Trade School or Higher Education
- Financial Aid
- Help paying for books, clothes, supplies, transportation
Healthcare Access and Quality
- Medical
- Mental
- Dental
- End of Life
Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Housing, Temporary Shelter, Maintenance and Repairs
The AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) has created a resource page where you can plug in your zip code to find financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help in your area.
Social and Community Context
- Family and Social Support
- Personal Safety
- Partner Violence
This is a very basic overview of the SDoH. To get a better understanding, I encourage everyone to click around on the HCMS SDoH page (external link), and visit the AAFP – Neighborhood Help Navigator. (external link) It is very interesting to see the variety of help programs available by zip code.
Resources:
Revision to HCPCS Code G0136 (external link)
CodingIntel Article (external link) (rev. 2025) G0136 SDoH Assessment
(2024 Proposed Rule) SDOH Assessment (G0136) Code (CMS) (external link)
Introducing Two (IP) Quality Measures for 2024 (CMS) (external link)
SDOH – Utilizing Z-Codes Infographic (CMS) (external link)
SDOH – Data with ICD-10-CM Z Codes (CMS) (external link)
Harris County Public Health Guide to SDoH (external link)
HCMS – SDoH (external link), Medical Cultural Awareness (external link)
AAFP – Neighborhood Help Navigator (external link)
CDC – SDoH (external link)
EPIC – Patient History (external link)
Healthy People 2030 (external link)
CMS – AHC HRSN Screening Tool (external link)
Center for Health Care Strategies Tool (CHCS) (external link)
Self-Sufficiency Outcome Tool (CHCS) (external link)
PRAPARE Tool (CHCS) (external link)