FY2027
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Excludes1 pair

M54.1- vs M79.2

M54.1 and M79.2 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 M54.1
neuralgia and neuritis NOS (M79.2)
M54.1

Radiculopathy

Not billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M50-M54
Use when the record says
  • Brachial neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbar neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Lumbosacral neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Thoracic neuritis or radiculitis NOS
  • Radiculitis NOS
Indexed under
  • Radiculopathy › leg
M79.2

Neuralgia and neuritis, unspecified

BillableUnspecified
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M70-M79
Indexed under
  • Neuralgia, neuralgic (acute)
  • Neuritis (rheumatoid)

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