Excludes1 pair
J67- vs J68.0
J67 and J68.0 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 J67
pneumonitis due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes or vapors (J68.0)
J67
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to organic dust
Not billable
- Chapter 10
- Diseases of the respiratory system
- Section
- J60-J70
Use when the record says
- allergic alveolitis and pneumonitis due to inhaled organic dust and particles of fungal, actinomycetic or other origin
J68.0
Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
Billable
- Chapter 10
- Diseases of the respiratory system
- Section
- J60-J70
Use when the record says
- Chemical bronchitis (acute)
Indexed under
- Bronchitis › chemical (acute) (subacute)
- Bronchitis › due to gases, fumes or vapors (chemical)
- Pneumonia › nitrogen dioxide
- Pneumonitis › chemical (due to gases, fumes or vapors) (inhalation)
- Pneumonitis › crack (cocaine)
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