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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 12/31/2025 7:32 AM
Question 20240036
Inquiry Details
References:
#1: 2024 SEER Manual, 78. Race data items
#2: 2024 SEER Manual, Appendix D. Race and Nationality Descriptions
Question:
Update to Current Manual/Race: How is Race coded when stated as Hispanic and there is no other information? See Discussion.
Discussion:
There appears to be discrepant information in the 2024 (and prior) SEER manual regarding race coding when the patient is described only as Hispanic/Latina. Page 78 tells us to Code as 01 (White) when: b. There is a statement that the patient is Hispanic or Latino(a) and no further information is available
- A person of Spanish origin may be any race; however, for coding race when there is no further information other than “Hispanic” or “Latino(a),” assign race as White as a last resort instead of coding unknown.
However, in Appendix D, under "Other Race descriptions", there is a statement that "If no further information is available, code as 99 Unknown." The list includes "Hispanic."
Answer:
Assign code 01 (White) for Hispanic when there is no additional information. It is listed in the 2024 SEER Manual, Race Coding Instruction 6.b.i. and in Appendix D for code 01. We will remove Hispanic from the list in Appendix D under code 99 in the next version of the manual.
