Excludes1 pair
N48.0 vs N48.1
N48.0 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 N48.1
balanitis xerotica obliterans (N48.0)
N48.0
Leukoplakia of penis
Billable
- Chapter 14
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Section
- N40-N53
Use when the record says
- Balanitis xerotica obliterans
- Kraurosis of penis
- Lichen sclerosus of external male genital organs
Indexed under
- Balanitis › xerotica obliterans
- Kraurosis › penis
- Leukoplakia › penis (infectional)
- Disease, diseased › white-spot, meaning lichen sclerosus et atrophicus › penis
- Lichen › albus › penis
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