Effective Date: Oct. 1, 2025
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, 487 additions, 28 deletions, and 38 revisions.
Key rule: Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services before Oct. 1 use old codes; services on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes.
Areas Impacting Acupuncture Documentation
While no changes affect the common pain codes most frequently used by acupuncturists, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for abdominal pain and trauma, as well as the comorbidity of multiple sclerosis.
Pain & Tenderness (R-Codes)
Deleted: R10.2 Pelvic and perineal pain
Added:
Contusions (S-Codes)
Deleted: S30.1XXA/D/S Contusion of abdominal wall
Added:
Neurology (Multiple Sclerosis – G35)
Deleted: G35 Multiple sclerosis
Added:
Practical Impact for Acupuncturists
Coding precision is increasing: Many previously single codes (e.g., pelvic pain, contusion of abdominal wall, multiple sclerosis) now have laterality, site-specificity, and disease activity requirements.
Claims risk: Using a deleted or outdated code after Oct. 1 will result in claim denial.
Best practice: Update your EHR, superbills, and macros now to ensure correct code selection.
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