Wiki ICD 10 guideline clarification

[lmjd]

looking at the codes for balanitis and the ICD 10 book says to "code also" not "use additional code". What is the difference? besides sequencing instructions? does that mean we may code only one code as the "code also" explanantion states that an additional code "may" be needed?

 

[ware]

Balanitis

When you go to Balanitis under N48.1 it says Use additional code to identify infectious agent.
If you look at the front of your coding book VIII in the instruction notes.

It says instruction notes are in red type and provide sequencing instructions.
It tells you an additional code Should be reported to provide a more complete picture of the diagnosis.

Code Also: Say that more than one code May be required to fully describe the condition. These coding notes appear in red type. You will see also in the red type where it says " Code Also" if applicable.