Excludes1 pair
N47.6 vs N48.1
N47.6 and N48.1 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 N47.6
balanitis (N48.1)
N47.6
Balanoposthitis
Billable
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N40-N53
Indexed under
- Balanoposthitis
- Infection, infected, infective › prepuce NEC › with penile inflammation
- Disease, diseased › inflammatory › prepuce › balanoposthitis
- Disease, diseased › prepuce › inflammatory › balanoposthitis
N48.1
Balanitis
Billable
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N40-N53
Indexed under
- Balanitis (circinata) (erosiva) (gangrenosa) (phagedenic) (vulgaris)
- Corbus' disease (gangrenous balanitis)
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