D48 vs D48.0
D48 and D48.0 can never be reported together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note, meaning the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient — so exactly one of them is correct for any given encounter.
The official note, declared on D48.0
neoplasm of uncertain behavior of cartilage of ear (D48.1-)
D48
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other and unspecified sites
Not billable
- Chapter 2
- Neoplasms
- Section
- D37-D48
D48.0
Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of bone and articular cartilage
Billable
- Chapter 2
- Neoplasms
- Section
- D37-D48
Indexed under
- Ecchondrosis
- Osteoclastoma
- Tumor › giant cell › bone
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