Excludes1 pair
K55.1 vs K56-
K55.1 and K56 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 K56
ischemic stricture of intestine (K55.1)
K55.1
Chronic vascular disorders of intestine
Billable
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K55-K64
Use when the record says
- Chronic ischemic colitis
- Chronic ischemic enteritis
- Chronic ischemic enterocolitis
- Ischemic stricture of intestine
- Mesenteric atherosclerosis
- Mesenteric vascular insufficiency
Indexed under
- Wilkie's disease or syndrome
- Abdomen, abdominal › angina
- Angina › abdominal
- Angina › intestinal
- Angina › mesenteric
K56
Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
Not billable
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K55-K64
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