ICD-10-CM subterms, which are indented two spaces below main terms, are also called ________ modifiers.

The term that refers to ICD-10-CM subterms indented two spaces below main terms is "essential" modifiers. These essential modifiers provide crucial information that specifies the condition being described. They clarify the exact nature of the diagnosis and allow for more detailed coding, which is critical for accurate medical documentation and billing.

Essential modifiers help coders differentiate between similar diagnoses by adding specific details about the condition, such as the type, location, or severity. This level of specificity is important for effective treatment planning and accurate statistical reporting in healthcare. In contrast, other subtypes or modifiers that may be referenced in coding systems, such as nonessential modifiers, do not influence the code assignment in the same definitive way. Instead, they may provide additional context but are not required to correctly assign a code. Thus, essential modifiers play a key role in achieving granularity in medical coding.