Purpose
Overview
Members of the public, representatives from the private sector, and those in government can submit proposals. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) must receive proposals before the submission deadline for the next scheduled meeting.
Updated guidance
Ultra-rare and genetic conditions
We are actively working to develop organizing principles to guide classification of ultra-rare and genetic conditions in ICD-10-CM. We anticipate that proposals on these topics will be evaluated for future C&M meetings based on eligibility criteria.
We suggest you address eligibility criteria in proposals for new codes for ultra-rare and genetic conditions. You can find proposed eligibility criteria and more information in the September 15, 2026, meeting materials.
Proposal requirements
The proposal must provide a detailed description of the proposed new code(s) or revision(s), including a clear explanation of the anticipated benefits and the specific health information gap the change is intended to address. You must support all content with appropriate citations from peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature.
Do not include healthcare reimbursement or health insurance coverage issues as they are not considered in ICD-10-CM code maintenance decisions.
Do not
- Submit any portion of a health record
- Disclose any personal health information in your submission
All proposals must include the information below.
Identifying information specifying—
- Proposal topic
- Submitter name and organization
- Primary point of contact and email address
- Secondary point of contact and email address, if applicable
Include medical/scientific description of the condition with detailed clinical reasoning that explains why the new code or change is necessary. This should include—
- The clinical definition and description of the condition, including factors that cause it and associated clinical signs and symptoms
- The clinical validity and utility of assigning a unique code for the condition. For example, how will the requested new code affect clinical care or the course of patient care?
- Scientific information on the prevalence and incidence of the condition, preferably U.S.-based estimates
Recognizing the accuracy of ICD-10-CM code assignment depends on how and where the condition is documented in the health record. Without disclosing any personal health record information, provide information in this section of the template on how this condition is currently 1) documented in the health record, 2) by whom, and 3) what type of clinical documentation would support assigning a new code.
For example, you should note if this is a diagnosis that is documented by an attending healthcare provider as an assessment or impression, as part of a problem list or a regular progress note, or in a discharge summary, etc.
Describe how the condition is currently tracked/reported and where you suggest it should be placed, aligning with the ICD-10-CM classification structure (e.g., where in the Tabular section). This should include—
- List or provide the range of ICD-10-CM codes currently used to report the condition and identify any additional closely related categories or subcategories within ICD-10-CM
- Suggest where the new condition should be placed in the Tabular section with the reasoning for this placement in alignment with the structure and conventions of the ICD-10-CM classification system.
- Share any known or existing data comparisons
If you know whether this condition is partially captured in some way now, please provide more information. To help guide your response, consider including the following:
- Is the condition currently included in another data standard or elsewhere in electronic health record systems?
- If so, what standard (or where) and how is it organized or labeled?
- If similar data exist, how would the proposed ICD-10-CM code be different from but align with that data?
- Do you have any information about any terms, definitions, or other technical details relevant to the proposed change?
Proposal format
The proposal should be submitted as a document (e.g., a Word document) that meets the following requirements:
- 12 pt Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins
- Cited references, Vancouver style preferred, in an editable list at the end of the document (do not use end note or footnote formatting)
- Be concise, proposals should be a maximum of 2 pages
Review a sample proposal to help you prepare your proposal.
Checklist
Please be sure that you have provided the required information in your proposal. Ensure that you have—
- Identified a specific proposal topic and the submitter's name and organization with a primary point of contact
- Described the requested change explaining what is currently lacking in ICD-10-CM and where new code(s) should be addedDescribed the condition with clinical rationale explaining why the change is necessary with relevant medical and scientific citations
- Provided information on patient encounter documentation characteristics—without disclosing any personal health information
- Described how the condition is currently tracked and suggested ICD-10-CM placement of changes in the Tabular section
- Included technical characteristics, to the extent known
- Described the proposed change and the reason this is needed concisely in an editable document following proposal format requirements
- Once you have completed all sections of the proposal template, email your completed proposal document to nchsicd10cm@cdc.gov.
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