Excludes1 pair
D14.0 vs D21.0
D14.0 and D21.0 are not coded together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note — the two conditions are not expected to occur together, so exactly one of them is normally correct for a given encounter. The Official Guidelines carve out one exception: if the two conditions are clearly unrelated to each other, both may be reported.
The official note, declared on D14.0
benign neoplasm of cartilage of ear (D21.0)
D14.0
Benign neoplasm of middle ear, nasal cavity and accessory sinuses
Billable
- Chapter 2
- Neoplasms
- Section
- D10-D36
Use when the record says
- Benign neoplasm of cartilage of nose
Indexed under
- Papilloma › Schneiderian › unspecified site
- Schneiderian › papilloma › unspecified site
D21.0
Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of head, face and neck
Billable
- Chapter 2
- Neoplasms
- Section
- D10-D36
Use when the record says
- Benign neoplasm of connective tissue of ear
- Benign neoplasm of connective tissue of eyelid
Excludes1 is not always absolute: where two conditions covered by the note are genuinely unrelated, CMS guidance permits reporting both. Document the reasoning rather than assuming it. More on Excludes1 vs Excludes2 · FY2027