J38.7 vs M12-
J38.7 and M12 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.
Other diseases of larynx
- Chapter 10
- Diseases of the respiratory system
- Section
- J30-J39
- Abscess of larynx
- Cellulitis of larynx
- Disease of larynx NOS
- Necrosis of larynx
- Pachyderma of larynx
- Perichondritis of larynx
- Ulcer of larynx
- Laryngofissure
- Laryngoptosis
- Abscess › epiglottis
- Abscess › larynx
- Abscess › postlaryngeal
Other and unspecified arthropathy
- Chapter 13
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Section
- M05-M14
These two codes sit in different chapters of the Tabular List, which is usually the clearest signal that they describe different underlying processes rather than different degrees of the same one.
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