2026 Code Changes…and Beyond

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Coding Committee; Brad Hart, MBA, MS, CPC, CPMA, COBGC

2026 Diagnosis Code Changes

Each year on October 1, changes to the ICD-10-CM codes go into effect.  For 2026, the changes are as follows:

For Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) providers, the total number of changes that will affect their practice is minimal.  However, the changes listed below may be important in certain circumstances.

We strongly encourage all providers to obtain at least one hard copy of the ICD-10-CM book, in order to have full access to all ICD-10-CM codes, the full instructions, inclusion and exclusion notes, as well as other helpful coding guidance.

For a listing of all coding changes for 2026, a complete file is available here:  https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding-billing/icd-10-codes .  Under the “ICD-10-CM Files” header, click on “2026 ICD-10-CM and PCS Files”  This will produce a drop-down list.  From the available list, select “2026 Addendum.”  This will produce a downloaded list of .pdf files.  From this list, select “icd10cm_tabular_addenda_2026.pdf.”

Obstetric Coding Changes, Beginning in 2027

In the September 2025 meeting of the CPT Editorial Panel, a proposal to revise the reporting of obstetric services was approved, effective January 1, 2027.  To see a summary of the panel’s decision, please see here:  https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/sept-2025-summary-of-panel-actions.pdf (Tab 30).

In short, 16 current obstetric codes will be deleted, the descriptions of 6 existing codes will be revised, and 12 new obstetric codes will be introduced.

The CPT process prevents us from providing any additional information about these CPT updates at this time.  There are two SMFM liaisons to the ACOG CHEC (Committee on Health Economics and Coding) plus a professional coder who is an expert in obstetric and MFM coding who represent MFMs.  Please be assured that the SMFM Coding Committee will be on the front line in educating Maternal Fetal Medicine clinicians and coders as soon as possible concerning the proper usage of these new codes for 2027.

Download the PDF

Please submit any questions you may have to the SMFM Coding Committee Ask a Coding Question website (https://www.smfm.org/coding/questions/new). Additional information and resources are also available on our coding website. Thank you very much.