Key Points: 2026 ICD-10-CM Updates
By Nena Scott, PhD, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS, CRC and Nicole Tinsley, CCS, CPC
The ICD-10-CM 2026 updates bring a range of important revisions that impact clinical documentation and coding accuracy across multiple specialties. This summary highlights some of the key additions and changes, but a full review is essential to ensure proper application and compliance. For questions or deeper clarification, contact our team at codingquestions@onpoint-healthcare.com
Highlights:
- 487 new codes
- 38 revised codes
- 28 deleted codes
Total ICD-10-CM codes: 74,719
Chapter 1: Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases – 2 new codes, 1 deletion, and 0 revisions. Two new codes for infestation by Demodex mites and other acariasis are available. The introduction of these new codes, for Demodex mites, reflects advancements in medical knowledge and terminology, allowing for more precise identification of conditions. The new Demodex mite code is particularly relevant given that Demodex mites are responsible for over 70% of all blepharitis cases, leading to nine new codes in the “Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa” chapter that can be used in conjunction with the Demodex infection code. Guidelines for HIV in this chapter have also been updated to clarify HIV disease coding.
Chapter 2: Neoplasms – 3 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions. The new codes primarily focus on malignant inflammatory neoplasm of the breast. Also, minor updates to coding guidelines related to antineoplastic treatments.
Chapter 3: Diseases of blood and blood-forming organs – 3 new codes, 1 deletion, and 0 revisions. The new codes are related to leukocyte adhesion deficiency, a rare genetic disorder.
Chapter 4: Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases (codes E00-E89) – 23 new codes, 3 deletions, and 0 revisions. The new codes relate to diabetes in remission, hyperoxaluria, and other metabolic disorders. Diabetes in remission has a corresponding new guideline that provides direction related to the assignment of this code.
Chapter 5: Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.
Chapter 6: Diseases of nervous system – 10 new codes, 1 deletion, and 0 revisions. This chapter include a code for primary progressive apraxia of speech, new codes for multiple sclerosis phenotypes, and a new code for a specific subtype of muscular dystrophy.
Chapter 7: Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa – 17 new codes, 1 deletion, and 0 revisions. This chapter includes the previously discussed blepharitis codes, as well as codes for thyroid eye disease and neovascular glaucoma, a severe form of secondary glaucoma.
Chapter 8: Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid process (H60-H95) – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.
Chapter 9: Diseases of circulatory system – 4 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions. The new codes represent Fontan circulation, an altered physiology from congenital heart surgery that can lead to associated complications. Also, there were Guideline revisions related to hypertension with heart disease and chronic kidney disease were also included.
Chapter 10: Diseases of respiratory system – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.
Chapter 11: Diseases of digestive system – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.
Chapter 12 Diseases of the skin and Subcutaneous Tissue – 116 new codes, 0 deletions, and 2 revisions. Of the 116 new codes 112 New codes for non-pressure chronic ulcers. The 6th characters identify the depth and 7th characters identify laterality, when appropriate.
Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system – 1 new code, 0 deletions, and 3 revisions. This chapter, with associated codes in Chapter 18 for symptoms, all in reference to abnormal rheumatoid factors. Also, an addition to the guidelines for multiple sites, which mirrors the change made in the general coding guidelines.
Chapter 14: Diseases of genitourinary system – 5 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions. The five new codes specifically for APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD). The new codes focus on APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD). There are also Z codes from chapter 21 for genetic susceptibility and family history of AMKD.
Chapter 15: Pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.
Chapter 16: Certain Conditions originating in the perinatal periods – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 1 revision.
Chapter 17: Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities – 23 new codes, 2 deletions, and 6 revisions. The new codes primarily focused on refining the classification of various congenital anomalies, particularly within the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, as well as chromosomal disorders.
Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings – 21 new codes, 2 deletions, and 0 revisions. Of the new codes 18 codes for flank anatomical specificity and other pain code, as well as a new specific code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes – 213 new codes, 12 deletions, and 24 revisions. New codes have been added for injuries involving the trunk, especially the flank. These include contusions, superficial injuries, and open wounds of the abdominal wall, both with and without penetration into the peritoneal cavity. The term “wrist” has been removed from fracture codes in the subcategory at the fracture wrist and hand level. S62.9. A new subcategory has been introduced for poisoning, adverse effects, and underdosing of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and for the toxic effects of xylazine. Codes have also been added to capture the effects of Gulf War illness and other war theater exposures. Additionally, food reaction codes related to milk and eggs have been expanded to specify whether the patient reacts to or tolerates baked forms of these foods.
Chapter 20: External causes of morbidity – 20 new codes, 0 deletions, and 1 revision. Additions included a code for other sharp objects entering through an orifice, fishing hooks entering through the skin, and a specific activity code for splitting wood. Other additions include codes for blast overpressure in war and military operations.
Chapter 21: Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services – 26 new codes, 5 deletions, and 1 revision. Additions included genetic susceptibility and family history for certain conditions. Also, included are codes that allow for the reporting of prophylactic removal of fallopian tubes and exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES). Three new social determinants of health (SDOH) codes for utility insecurity are also added. Also, some additional guideline updates for prophylactic organ removal, BMI, and aftercare.
Chapter 22: Codes for Special Purposes – 0 new codes, 0 deletions, and 0 revisions.