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Compare/N16 vs N28.85

N16 vs N28.85

N16 (Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere) compared with N28.85 (Pyeloureteritis cystica), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.

Can these codes be reported together?

No — do not report together. N16 carries an Excludes1 note covering N28.85: “pyeloureteritis cystica (N28.85)”

Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Side by side

N16Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhereN28.85Pyeloureteritis cystica
Billing statusBillableBillable
ClassificationN00-N99 — Diseases of the Genitourinary System (N00-N99)N00-N99 — Diseases of the Genitourinary System (N00-N99)
DefinitionRenal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (N16).Pyeloureteritis cystica is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (N28.85).
Includes
pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis
Tubulo-interstitial nephritis
Code first
underlying disease, such as:
brucellosis (A23.0-A23.9)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources