2026 ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians
The complete official guidelines and code set
What is the 2026 ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians with Guidelines and why is it essential?
The 2026 ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians, with our hallmark features and format, makes facing the challenge of accurate diagnosis coding easier. Developed specifically to meet the needs of physicians, the Optum codebook contains the complete ICD-10-CM code set, which is the cornerstone for establishing medical necessity, determining coverage, and ensuring appropriate reimbursement. Also included are the 2026 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, with chapter-specific guidelines and examples in the tabular section. The familiar Optum symbols identify codes associated with CMS quality payment program (QPP) measures and CMS hierarchical condition categories (HCC) used in risk adjustment (RA) coding and more.
- Optum Edge — Intuitive features and format. Visual alerts, including color-coding and symbols that identify coding notes and instructions, additional character requirements, placeholder X, Medicare Code Edits (MCE), manifestation codes, QPP, HCCs, unspecified codes, and more.
- Optum Edge — ICONS for April updates. Easily distinguish between April and October new and revised codes with green icons for April and black for October changes.
- Optum Edge — Expanded Table of Drugs and Chemicals. Expanded to include updated drugs and codes listed with associated intent with icon to easily identify the added drugs.
- Optum Edge — ICONS identifying RxHCCs and ESRD HCCs. Quickly identify the RxHCC and ESRD/PACE ICD-10-CM codes used in risk adjustment coding by Medicare Advantage Plans.
- Optum Edge — ICONS identifying HHS-HCCs. Easily identify the Department of Health and Human Services HHS-HCCs used by commercial insurance companies.
- Guidelines with coding examples. Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting including chapter-specific coding examples.
- Product Updates. April and other ICD-10-CM changes and updates will be made available on the Optum Product Update page on Optumcoding.com for our valued ICD-10-CM customers.
- Coding tips and clinical definitions. Coding tips assist in appropriate code selection, while clinical definitions provide a better understanding of complex ICD-10-CM diagnostic terms.
- List of code changes and conversion table. A list of all 2026 new, revised, and deleted codes. Plus, an ICD-10-CM conversion table from the new and changed codes to the code previously used.
- Updated index with shaded guides. The updated Index to Diseases and Injuries includes vertical shaded guides that show the indent levels for subentries under main terms.
- Helpful illustrations. Detailed color anatomy illustration appendix. Plus, many illustrations at the code level identifying specific code-related anatomy.
- Supplementary appendixes. Pharmacology listings, Z codes for long-term use of drugs and associated drug names, and Z codes used only as primary diagnosis.
- Snap tabs. Easy-to-use tabs fit the spiral binding providing reference to index sections, tabular chapters, and appendixes.
Leanne Patterson, CPC
Leanne Patterson, CPC
Leanne Patterson has more than 20 years of experience in the health care profession. She has an extensive background in professional component coding, with proven expertise in assignment of E/M codes, general surgery coding, interventional procedures, medical record documentation improvement, and HIPAA compliance. Her experience includes serving as Director of Compliance, Practice Management, conducting chart-to-claim audits, and physician education activities. She has been responsible for coding and denial management in large multi-specialty physician practices and has been part of a team that develops content for products related to ICD-10-CM. Leanne is credentialed by and is a member of the AAPC.
Leanne Patterson has more than 20 years of experience in the health care profession. She has an extensive background in professional component coding, with proven expertise in assignment of E/M codes, general surgery coding, interventional procedures, medical record documentation improvement, and HIPAA compliance. Her experience includes serving as Director of Compliance, Practice Management, conducting chart-to-claim audits, and physician education activities. She has been responsible for coding and denial management in large multi-specialty physician practices and has been part of a team that develops content for products related to ICD-10-CM. Leanne is credentialed by and is a member of the AAPC.
Anita Schmidt, BS, RHIA, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer
Anita Schmidt has expertise in ICD-10-CM/PCS, DRG, and CPT with more than 20 years’ experience in coding in multiple settings, including inpatient, observation, and same-day surgery. Her experience includes analysis of medical record documentation, assignment of ICD-10-CM and PCS codes, and DRG validation. She has collaborated with clinical documentation specialists to identify documentation needs and potential areas for physician education. Most recently she has been developing content for resource and educational products related to ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, DRG, and CPT. Anita is an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer and is an active member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Minnesota Health Information Management Association (MHIMA).
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