Re: New Plantar Fasciitis Codes

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

The annual ICD-10-CM update took effect October 1, and FY 2027 brings several changes that are particularly relevant to podiatric medicine. Although the overall number of ICD-10-CM changes is substantial, the number of changes directly affecting podiatry is relatively limited.

The most important podiatry-specific changes involve plantar fasciitis and plantarfascial fibromatosis of the ankle and foot. These changes generally move ICD-10-CM toward greater anatomic specificity and, in several instances, laterality.

The Big News for Podiatry: Plantar Fasciitis Finally Gets Its Own Code Family

Perhaps the most significant change for everyday podiatric practice is the creation of a dedicated ICD-10-CM category for plantar fasciitis.

For years, plantar fasciitis and plantar fascial fibromatosis were reported using the same basic code, M72.2, Plantar fascial fibromatosis. That created an obvious clinical and coding problem because these are different disorders.

Beginning October 1, 2026, plantar fasciitis moves to the new M67.A category.

FY 2027 Plantar Fasciitis Codes:

M67.A — Plantar fasciitis
M67.A0 — Plantar fasciitis, foot
M67.A01 — Plantar fasciitis, right foot
M67.A02 — Plantar fasciitis, left foot
M67.A09 — Plantar fasciitis, unspecified foot

A podiatrist should now document the affected foot whenever known; M67.A09 should not be used. Laterality now finally exists for plantar fasciitis after 11 years.

Plantar Fascial Fibromatosis Also Receives Laterality

The other side of the change involves plantar fascial fibromatosis, commonly associated with Ledderhose disease.

The old: M72.2 — Plantar fascial fibromatosis is deleted as a billable code structure for FY 2027 and replaced with laterality-specific codes:

M72.20 — Plantar fascial fibromatosis, unspecified foot
M72.21 — Plantar fascial fibromatosis, right foot
M72.22 — Plantar fascial fibromatosis, left foot

Once again, a podiatrist should now document the affected foot whenever known; M72.20 should not be used. Laterality is important for billing, coding, and documentation.

It is imperative for these new ICD-10-CM codes to be built into your EHR or PM system.

—Michael G. Warshaw, DPM, CPC