Guidelines › Only codes are reported, with every required character

Only codes are reported, with every required character

Official text from the FY2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. The wording is quoted exactly.

Guidelines I.A.3

“For reporting purposes only codes are permissible, not categories or subcategories, and any applicable 7th character is required.”

Where this applies

This is a general rule. It applies to code assignment everywhere, not to one code or group of codes.

Source: FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, effective October 1, 2026. Full Guidelines (PDF, CMS)