ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O26.879 - Cervical shortening, unspecified trimester (original) (raw)
ICD List 2025-2026 Edition
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- 2026 ICD-10-CM Code O26.879
Cervical shortening, unspecified trimester
ICD-10-CM Code:
O26.879
ICD-10 Code for:
Cervical shortening, unspecified trimester
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:
O26.879 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of cervical shortening, unspecified trimester. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
The code O26.879 is applicable to female patients aged 12 through 55 years inclusive. It is clinically and virtually impossible to use this code on a non-female patient outside the stated age range.
This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in OB/GYN medical specialties to designate conditions such maternal disorders related to pregnancy.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like O26.879 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.
- Code Information
- Approximate Synonyms
- Clinical Classification
- Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
- Code Edits
- Diagnostic Related Groups Mapping
- Convert to ICD-9 Code
- Patient Education
- Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
- Code History
- Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
O00-O9A
The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.
- Short cervical length in pregnancy
Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.
They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.
CCSR Code: PRG011
Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) detects errors and inconsistencies in ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding that can affect Medicare claim validity. These Medicare code edits help medical coders and billing professionals determine when a diagnosis code is not appropriate as a principal diagnosis, does not meet coverage criteria. Use this list to verify whether a code is valid for Medicare billing and to avoid claim rejections or denials due to diagnosis coding issues.
The Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies in maternity cases by checking a patient's age and any diagnosis on the patient's record. The maternity code edits apply to patients age ange is 9–64 years inclusive (e.g., diabetes in pregnancy, antepartum pulmonary complication).
Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.
ICD-9-CM: 649.70
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.
Cervix Disorders
What is a cervix disorder?
A cervix disorder is a problem with your cervix. The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb), which opens into the vagina (birth canal). The cervix has a small opening that expands during childbirth. It also allows menstrual blood to leave your body.
You may not have any symptoms of a cervix disorder, but routine pelvic exams and a Pap smear test can help determine if you may need treatment.
Cervix disorders can include:
- Cervical cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix.
- Cervicitis is swelling of the cervix. An infection usually causes it, but it can also be caused by skin irritation. Treatment can help you avoid potential complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Cervical incompetence (also called cervical insufficiency) can happen during pregnancy. The opening of your cervix widens too early. This may cause you to give birth too soon, or you could lose the fetus.
- Cervical polyps and cysts are fleshy or fluid-filled growths on your cervix. These growths are usually benign (not cancer). They are more common during your reproductive years, especially after age 20.
Who is more likely to develop cervix disorders?
You are more likely to develop a cervix disorder if:
- You've had a previous cervical procedure or surgery.
- You've had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- You used a latex condom or a feminine product such as a spermicide or douche that irritated the skin of your vagina.
- You left something in your vagina too long, such as a diaphragm, tampon, or cervical cap, and it caused irritation.
- You don't consistently use a condom when you have sex, or you have multiple sex partners.
What are the symptoms of cervix disorders?
You may not know that something is wrong since cervix disorders may not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may vary based on the cervix disorder.
Symptoms can include:
- Vaginal bleeding that's not normal for you, such as bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pain during sex or a pelvic exam
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
If you are pregnant, a few signs of an incompetent cervix could include light vaginal bleeding, a feeling of pelvic pressure, or mild cramps. But you may not have any signs.
How are cervix disorders diagnosed?
Even if you don't have symptoms, your health care provider may notice changes to the cells of your cervix during a pelvic exam. Your provider may look for:
- Redness or inflammation (swelling) of your cervix or vaginal walls
- Vaginal discharge or strong odor
Your provider may perform a Pap test to look for changes in your cervix.
What are the treatments for cervix disorders?
The treatment for cervix disorders depends on the cause. It might include antibiotics or stopping using a product that causes skin irritation.
If you have had an incompetent cervix in the past, you might take medicine or have ultrasound imaging tests to check how your pregnancy is going.
Can cervix disorders be prevented?
You can take steps to prevent some cervix disorders. This can include to:
- Use a condom every time you have sex. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STIs. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
- Have regular pelvic exams.
- Get tested for STIs as needed.
- Avoid using personal care products that may cause skin irritation to your vagina.
Health Problems in Pregnancy
What are health problems in pregnancy?
A health problem in pregnancy is any disease or condition that could affect your health or the health of your fetus. Some health problems may make it more likely that you will have a high-risk pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy is one in which you, your fetus, or both are at higher risk for health problems than in a typical pregnancy.
But just because you have health problems, it doesn't mean that you, or your fetus, will have a problem during the pregnancy. Taking care of yourself and getting early and regular prenatal care from a health care provider may help you reduce pregnancy risks from health problems.
What raises my risk for health problems during pregnancy?
Every pregnancy has some risk of problems, but your lifestyle, as well as factors like certain conditions and health issues, can raise that risk, such as:
- A health condition you had before you got pregnant
- A health condition you develop during pregnancy
- A pregnancy with more than one baby
- A health problem that happened during a previous pregnancy and could happen again
- Substance use during pregnancy
- Being over age 35
Any of these can affect your health, the health of your fetus, or both.
Can chronic health conditions cause problems in pregnancy?
Every pregnancy is different. If you have specific risks in one pregnancy, it doesn't mean that you will have them in another. But, if you have a chronic condition, you should talk to your provider about how to minimize your risk before you get pregnant. Once you are pregnant, you may need a health care team to monitor your pregnancy. Some common conditions that can complicate a pregnancy include:
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Kidney problems
- Autoimmune disorders
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
- HIV
- Cancer
- Infections
Other conditions that may make pregnancy risky can develop during pregnancy - for example, gestational diabetes and Rh incompatibility.
Can health problems in pregnancy be prevented?
You may be able to lower your risk of certain health problems by making healthy lifestyle changes before you get pregnant. These can include reaching a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing any health conditions.
However, health problems during pregnancy are not always preventable. Some chronic conditions can be treated and controlled, while others aren't treatable and carry a higher risk than usual, even if the health problem is well-managed.
Share your symptoms with your provider for early detection and treatment of health problems. Sometimes, it's hard to know what's normal. Some symptoms, like nausea, back pain, and fatigue, are common during pregnancy, while other symptoms, like vaginal bleeding or a severe or long-lasting headache, can be signs of a problem. Call your provider to let them know if something is bothering or worrying you.
FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.
