FY2027
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Excludes1 pair

D15.0 vs D21.3

D15.0 and D21.3 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 D21.3
benign neoplasm of thymus (D15.0)
D15.0

Benign neoplasm of thymus

Billable
Chapter 2
Neoplasms
Section
D10-D36
Indexed under
  • Thymoma › microscopic
D21.3

Benign neoplasm of connective and other soft tissue of thorax

Billable
Chapter 2
Neoplasms
Section
D10-D36
Use when the record says
  • Benign neoplasm of axilla
  • Benign neoplasm of diaphragm
  • Benign neoplasm of great vessels

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