Which of the following statements is true about Excludes1 codes?

Excludes1 codes are specific notations in the ICD-10-CM coding system that indicate two conditions are mutually exclusive, meaning that if one condition is present, the other cannot be. Therefore, these codes highlight that the two conditions should never be reported together because they refer to distinctly different diagnoses that cannot simultaneously apply to a patient.

This is an important aspect of ICD-10-CM coding, as it helps ensure accuracy in diagnosis reporting, which in turn affects treatment decisions, billing, and epidemiological tracking. The clarity provided by Excludes1 codes helps prevent clinical and billing errors that might arise from mistakenly indicating that both conditions exist when they cannot.

Understanding that Excludes1 codes are meant to signal that two diagnoses cannot coexist is crucial for proper coding practices.