N13.1 vs N28.8
N13.1 and N28.8 can never be reported together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note, meaning the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient — so exactly one of them is correct for any given encounter.
The official note, declared on N28.8
ureteric stricture with hydronephrosis (N13.1)
N13.1
Hydronephrosis with ureteral stricture, not elsewhere classified
BillableUnspecified
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N10-N16
Indexed under
- HydronephrosisNEC › with › ureteral stricture NEC (atrophic) (early) (functionless) (intermittent) (primary) (secondary)
- HydronephrosisNEC › with › obstruction › ureteral NEC (atrophic) (early) (functionless) (intermittent) (primary) (secondary)
- Kink, kinking › ureter › with › hydronephrosis
- Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive › ureterNEC › with › hydronephrosis
- Stricture › ureter › with › hydronephrosis
N28.8
Other specified disorders of kidney and ureter
Not billable
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N25-N29
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