Excludes1 pair

M67- vs M72.8

M67 and M72.8 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 M72.8
plantar fasciitis (M67.A0-)
M67

Other disorders of synovium and tendon

Not billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M65-M67
M72.8

Other fibroblastic disorders

Billable
Chapter 13
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Section
M70-M79
Use when the record says
  • Abscess of fascia
  • Fasciitis NEC
  • Other infective fasciitis
Indexed under
  • Abscess › fascia
  • Contraction, contracture, contracted › fascia (lata) (postural)
  • Fasciitis › infective
  • Fasciitis › specified NEC
  • Fasciitis › traumatic (old)

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