NEC and NOS are two common abbreviations found in the ICD-10-CM code book. Although they may appear similar, they are used in very different situations. Understanding the difference helps coders decide whether an “other specified” or “unspecified” code is appropriate. What Does NEC Mean? NEC stands for Not Elsewhere Classifiable. In ICD-10-CM, NEC generally represents an “other specified” condition. It is used when the provider has documented the condition specifically, but the ICD-10-CM classification does not contain a unique code for that exact diagnosis. In this situation: A simple way to remember this is: NEC means the documentation is specific, but ICD-10-CM does not have a specific code. NEC Example…