Guidelines › "See" and "See also"
"See" and "See also"
Official text from the FY2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The wording is quoted exactly.
Guidelines I.A.16
“It is necessary to go to the main term referenced with the "see" note to locate the correct code.”
“It is not necessary to follow the "see also" note when the original main term provides the necessary code.”
Where this applies
This is a general rule. It applies to code assignment everywhere, not to one code or group of codes.
The Guidelines are the authority for assigning codes, and following them is required under HIPAA. This page quotes them for convenience and is not a substitute for the official document. See the Terms and Disclaimer.