ICD-10-CM 2026 Expands MS Coding Options
Also, these neurodevelopmental disorders get new codes. Neurology and neurosurgery coders are going to want to pay particular attention to this year’s edition of ICD-10-CM, which will feature an expanded multiple sclerosis (MS) code set. The new codes, set to take effect October 1, will be accompanied by several other MS diagnoses that a neurologist or neurosurgeon might treat or diagnose. There will also be changes to how you code certain neurodevelopmental disorders, as a code in the set was converted to parent. Check out this rundown of the relevant new codes so you’ll be ready when ICD-10-CM 2026 becomes official. G35 Becomes G35.-, MS Codes Increase The most important ICD-10-CM change for most practices will likely be that the MS code G35 (Multiple sclerosis) will become a parent code in 2026, and you’ll list it as G35.-. That means you’ll need a 4th (or in some cases, a 4th and 5th) character for a complete diagnosis. The codes under the parent code G35.- are: Check Out These MS Types Since the G35 code is currently the only MS diagnosis, you might need some education on the types of MS so you can hit the ground running on October 1. Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is the most common form of MS disease. “RRMS shows clearly defined attacks of new or increasing neurologic symptoms,” according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). “They are followed by periods of partial or complete recovery, or remission.” With primary progressive MS (PPMS), the disease is even faster and more relentless. “Neurologic function worsens, or disability accumulates as soon as symptoms appear. There are no early relapses or remissions,” with PPMS, reports the NMSS. “PPMS can have brief periods of stability, with or without a relapse or new MRI activity. It can also have periods of increasing disability, with or without new relapses or lesions on an MRI.” Patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) have already been diagnosed with RRMS, but then they have an SPMS course. During this course, the patient’s neurologic functioning progressively declines while disability increases. “Each person’s experience with SPMS is unique. In SPMS, you may have occasional relapses, as well as periods of stability,” according to NMSS. Kabuki Syndrome Gets Dedicated Code While the new MS codes might be the headliner, neurology and neurosurgery coders will also want to a note change in “Chapter 17: Congenital Malformations, Deformations, and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99).” ICD-10 will convert Q89.8 (Other specified congenital malformations) to parent and it will become Q89.8-. Beneath the new parent will be this pair of codes: Kabuki syndrome explained: “Kabuki syndrome is a rare, multisystem disorder characterized by multiple abnormalities including distinctive facial features, growth delays, varying degrees of intellectual disability, skeletal abnormalities, and short stature,” reports the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD). Specific symptoms of Kabuki syndrome vary wildly from one patient to another. ICD-10-CM Creates New Parent Code While parent codes are typically already existing codes that are “promoted” to parent, this isn’t always the case. ICD-10-CM will also create new codes that are parents from the beginning. That’s what it did with QA0.- (Neurodevelopmental disorders related to specific genetic pathogenic variants), a new code with parental status. Beneath QA0.-, you’ll have almost 20 codes to choose from; here are some of the new “children” to QA0.-: Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC
