Excludes1 pair
G36.0 vs G37.3
G36.0 and G37.3 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 G37.3
neuromyelitis optica [Devic] (G36.0)
G36.0
Neuromyelitis optica [Devic]
Billable
- Chapter 6
- Diseases of the nervous system
- Section
- G35-G37
Use when the record says
- Demyelination in optic neuritis
Indexed under
- Devic's disease
- Neuroencephalomyelopathy, optic
- Ophthalmoneuromyelitis
- Demyelination, demyelinization › in optic neuritis
- Disease, diseased › Devic's
G37.3
Acute transverse myelitis in demyelinating disease of central nervous system
Billable
- Chapter 6
- Diseases of the nervous system
- Section
- G35-G37
Use when the record says
- Acute transverse myelitis NOS
- Acute transverse myelopathy
Indexed under
- Myelitis › transverse (in demyelinating diseases of central nervous system)
- Myelopathy › transverse, acute
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