Combination Codes

Are ICD10-CM codes that use the word "following" considered combination codes? I need to understand whether another code would be reported or not specifically for the condition indicated after the word "following".

Examples:
I23.1 ASD as current complication following acute MI
I69.21 Cognitive deficits following other nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage
I69.332 Monoplegia of upper limb following cerebral infarction affecting left dominant side
o08.83 Urinary tract infection following ectopic and molar pregnancy
N52.31 Erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy

re: Combination Codes

The codes you mentioned above are not combination codes. Combination codes use one code to report multiple aspects of a diagnosis. Therefore, you will see a diagnosis with a secondary manifestation or a complication associated with the diagnosis. Look for the words "Due to" or "with" Examples

E08.22 - Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic chronic kidney
E84.0 - Cystic fibrosis with pulmonary manifestations

Watch your coding notes to know when to code additional codes for example;
E08.22 has a note to "Use additional code: to identify the stage of chronic kidney disease (N18.1-N18.6), as well as a "Code first" and another "Use additional" code note.
E84.0 has "Use additional" and "code also" code notes to fully describe the diagnosis.

You cannot code correctly without using the coding guidelines. These are available on every code for ICD-10 when using Find-A-Code, a valuable tool, every coder should have access to. Go to Findacode.com for more information.