I am studying on my own to take the CPC exam. I have 20+ years experience in medical billing and coding. I have realized that I don't know as much as thought I did! LOl. My question is understanding completely the Excludes 1 and Excludes 2 in ICD-10. This is my understanding and I am needing confirmation or correction on what I think I know . . . .
Excludes 1 means that if someone has a specific dx and whatever is stated in Excludes 1, those codes in Excludes 1 cannot be used in conjunction with the original specific dx code.
Excludes 2 means that if a pt. has two issues/dx and one of them is in the excludes 2, it can be coded in addition too, with the original specific code. (But by calling it an Excludes 2 makes it confusion as to what is excluded.)
Excludes 1 means that if someone has a specific dx and whatever is stated in Excludes 1, those codes in Excludes 1 cannot be used in conjunction with the original specific dx code.
Excludes 2 means that if a pt. has two issues/dx and one of them is in the excludes 2, it can be coded in addition too, with the original specific code. (But by calling it an Excludes 2 makes it confusion as to what is excluded.)