Excludes1 pair
K56- vs K66.0
K56 and K66.0 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 K66.0
peritoneal adhesions with intestinal obstruction (K56.5-)
K56
Paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction without hernia
Not billable
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K55-K64
K66.0
Peritoneal adhesions (postprocedural) (postinfection)
Billable
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K65-K6A
Use when the record says
- Adhesions (of) abdominal (wall)
- Adhesions (of) diaphragm
- Adhesions (of) intestine
- Adhesions (of) male pelvis
- Adhesions (of) omentum
- Adhesions (of) stomach
- Adhesive bands
- Mesenteric adhesions
Indexed under
- Adhesions, adhesive (postinfective)
- Adhesions, adhesive › peritoneum, peritoneal (postinfective)
- Adhesions, adhesive › postoperative (gastrointestinal tract)
- Adhesions, adhesive › peritoneum, peritoneal › postprocedural
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