Effective Oct. 1, coders will now have a way to capture Type 2 diabetes mellitus in remission with new code E11.A (Type 2 diabetes mellitus in remission), finalized as part of the FY2026 ICD-10 code update — released June 9.
 
This new code was previously discussed during the virtual ICD-10-CM Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee meeting in March 2024 and will fall under E11 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus).
 
The meeting proposal stated that the new code will help with reporting the clinical status of regression along the diabetes continuum in alignment with the current clinical guidelines.
 
This was just one of the 487 new codes finalized in the update, along with 38 revised code descriptors and 28 codes deemed invalid.
 
Also being added are 112 new non-pressure chronic ulcer codes, three new codes to capture malignant inflammatory neoplasms, four new codes for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) and two codes related to the Gulf War theater: T75.830- (Gulf war illness) and Z77.31 (Contact with and [suspected] exposure to Gulf War theater).
 
Watch for deleted, revised codes
 
Pay close attention to new codes that represent expansions of the 28 deleted codes. For example, H01.8 (Other specified inflammations of eyelid) will expand into nine new codes, and R10.2 (Pelvic and perineal pain) will be replaced by six codes.
 
Also be sure to look at the 38 revised codes that will go into effect Oct. 1.
 
For example, L02.212 (Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock]) will be revised to (Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock and flank]) (emphasis added).
 
In Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), the update revises the descriptor for codes which currently state unspecified fracture of the wrist and hand to state unspecified fracture of the hand.
 
Tune into the tabular
 
You’ll find changes in every chapter except Chapter 8: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95) and Chapter 22: Codes for special purposes (U00-U85).
 
For example, you’ll find new notes that incorporate E11.A (Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in remission), such as a new “Excludes 1” note, which tells you the new code cannot be reported with E11.9 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications).
 
Another change is the addition of clarifying terms “lateral abdomen pain,” “lateral flank pain” and “latus region pain” for the new codes for pain localized to flank which will help assist with code selection.
 
Editor’s note: The available files, including the tabular addenda, can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/2w7w33hx. The guidelines have not yet been released.