What do parentheses represent in the ICD-10-CM manual?

In the ICD-10-CM manual, parentheses are used to enclose non-essential modifiers. These modifiers offer additional information about a code but do not change the fundamental meaning of the code itself. When a code is listed with parentheses, it indicates that if a particular condition or context is present, it might provide further specificity; however, it is not necessary to capture the main concept of the diagnosis represented by the code.

Using parentheses in this way allows coders to document more detail if relevant, without altering the code's basic definition. For example, in a scenario where a condition is listed with various modifiers, the information within parentheses can enhance the description but is not required for proper coding. This is a key distinction to understand for accurate coding, as it helps coders identify which elements are crucial to the diagnosis versus which are supplementary.