Excludes1 pair
M02- vs M35.2
M02 and M35.2 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 M02
Behçet's disease (M35.2)
M02
Postinfective and reactive arthropathies
Not billable
- Chapter 13
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Section
- M00-M02
M35.2
Behcet's disease
Billable
- Chapter 13
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Section
- M30-M36
Indexed under
- Behçet's disease or syndrome
- Arthritis, arthritic › in › Behçet's syndrome
- Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › vagina › in Behçet's disease
- Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › vulva › in › Behçet's disease
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