Excludes1 pair
N13.5 vs N28.8-
N13.5 and N28.8 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 N28.8
ureteric stricture without hydronephrosis (N13.5)
N13.5
Crossing vessel and stricture of ureter without hydronephrosis
Billable
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N10-N16
Use when the record says
- Kinking and stricture of ureter without hydronephrosis
Indexed under
- Ormond's disease (with ureteral obstruction)
- Angulation › ureter
- Compression › ureter
- Constriction › ureter
- Contraction, contracture, contracted › ureterovesical orifice (postinfectional)
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