This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
2026 April ICD-10-CM Code Updates: Behind the Codes.
** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.
A: Not necessarily. While an Excludes2 note indicates that two conditions may be coded together when both are present, coders must still apply all other ICD-10-CM guidelines and conventions.
If the condition from category N89 represents a sign or symptom of atrophic vaginitis rather than a separate, distinct diagnosis, it should not be coded separately. In such cases, only code N95.2 (Postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis) is assigned.
Q: What ICD-10-CM code(s) should be assigned for a patient with a past history of type 2 diabetes mellitus documented as being in remission, who also has stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) that the provider states is due to hypertension?
A: When type 2 diabetes is documented as being in remission and the patient has stage 3 CKD attributed to hypertension, the following ICD-10-CM codes should be assigned:
- E11.A, Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, in remission
- I12.9, Hypertensive chronic kidney disease with stage 1 through stage 4 chronic kidney disease, or unspecified chronic kidney disease
- N18.30, Chronic kidney disease, stage 3 unspecified
Since the diabetes is documented as being in remission and there are no associated diabetic complications, code E11.A is appropriate. While there is an assumed link between diabetes and CKD, the provider specifically stated that it was due to another condition (hypertension), so combination code I12.9 is assigned along with code N18.30 to report the stage of CKD. This code combination accurately reflects the patient’s current clinical status and properly captures the documented cause-and-effect relationship between hypertension and chronic kidney disease.
A: No, you cannot assume that a patient is dependent on cannabis when they present with CHS. Query the provider to determine the pattern of use (use, abuse, dependence).
Meet the Presenter: Kristi Pollard, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC
Kristi is the Director of Coding Quality & Education with more than 25 years of industry experience; she is responsible for the development of web-based, instructor-led, and webinar training materials; conducting training in ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT; and performing DRG and APC audits. Kristi has an extensive background in coding education and consulting and is a national speaker and published writer on topics related to ICD-10 and CPT coding and code-based reimbursement. She has designed and developed training programs for inpatient and outpatient hospital-based coding, with a focus on vascular interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, orthopedics, and obstetrics.
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