FY2027
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Excludes1 pair

S31- vs S38.3-

S31 and S38.3 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 S31
traumatic amputation of part of abdomen, lower back and pelvis (S38.2-, S38.3)
S31

Open wound of abdomen, lower back, pelvis and external genitals

Not billable
Chapter 19
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Section
S30-S39
S38.3

Transection (partial) of abdomen

Not billable
Chapter 19
Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
Section
S30-S39
Indexed under
  • Transection › abdomen (partial)

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