Excludes1 pair

D14.1 vs D16-

D14.1 and D16 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 D16
benign neoplasm of connective tissue of larynx (D14.1)
D14.1

Benign neoplasm of larynx

Billable
Chapter 2
Neoplasms
Section
D10-D36
Use when the record says
  • Adenomatous polyp of larynx
  • Benign neoplasm of epiglottis (suprahyoid portion)
Indexed under
  • Polyp, polypus › larynx › adenomatous
D16

Benign neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage

Not billable
Chapter 2
Neoplasms
Section
D10-D36

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