The DMG05-3 Race or Ethnicity Code has a code note: “The Classification of Race and Ethnicity is a detailed code list that uniquely identifies each known race and ethnicity entity and organizes these entities in a hierarchical structure. For the convenience of the users of this guide, the high level race and ethnicity entities are listed with their unique identification number form the code list.”

There are alternative view on the interpretation. One is as an all-inclusive list and the other is that it is an example of the complete list. The first interpretation prevents the reporting of the more detailed level race or ethnicity codes. For example, R1 - American Indian or Alaska Native would be allowed, but R1.01 - American Indian; R1.01.003 – Apache; and R1.01.003.001 – Chiricahua would not be allowed.

Clarification is needed to understand whether those listed in the Implementation Guide are the only codes that can be submitted or the entire CDC Race or Ethnicity Code set is applicable.