Combination codes in ICD-10-CM can be found by referring to which notes?

Combination codes in ICD-10-CM are designed to capture multiple aspects of a patient's condition in a single code, improving the specificity of coding while reducing the number of codes needed to describe a diagnosis. To effectively identify and understand these combination codes, coders should refer to the "Includes" and "Excludes" notes in the coding manual.

The "Includes" note is specifically important because it provides additional clarity about the conditions that are encompassed within a given code. This means it will indicate which specific conditions or combinations are accounted for by the combination code. Understanding these notes helps coders ensure they are accurately coding the intended conditions without omitting significant details or inadvertently coding related but distinct diagnoses.

On the other hand, the "Must include," "Note for," and "Requires" terms do not specifically refer to the inclusion or exclusion aspects that are vital for identifying combination codes. Rather, these may relate to other coding instructions or procedures that are either necessary for certain codes or further indicate the requirements of coding practices. Thus, for the primary purpose of recognizing combination codes, focusing on the "Includes" and "Excludes" notes is essential.