2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R26Abnormalities of gait and mobility

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R25-R29›R26

ICD-10-CM R26
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

R26 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for abnormalities of gait and mobility, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R26.0, R26.1, R26.2, and R26.81. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R26
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Abnormalities of gait and mobility
Short Description
Abnormalities of gait and mobility
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R25-R29
Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR25-R29Symptoms and signs involving the nervous and musculoskeletal systems
CategoryR26Abnormalities of gait and mobility
This CodeR26Abnormalities of gait and mobility

Specific Coding for Abnormalities of gait and mobilityOverview

Non-specific codes like R26 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R26.0 for Ataxic gait

  • Use R26.1 for Paralytic gait

  • Use R26.2 for Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified

  • R26.8 for Other abnormalities of gait and mobility

  • Use R26.81 for Unsteadiness on feet

  • Use R26.89 for Other abnormalities of gait and mobility

  • Use R26.9 for Unspecified abnormalities of gait and mobility

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to R26: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 18. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • ataxia NOS (R27.0)
  • hereditary ataxia (G11.-)
  • locomotor (syphilitic) ataxia (A52.11)
  • immobility syndrome (paraplegic) (M62.3)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • signs and symptoms classified in the body system chapters
  • signs and symptoms of breast (N63, N64.5)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 18 (R00-R99) Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified applies to 774 codes
  • This chapter includes symptoms, signs, abnormal results of clinical or other investigative procedures, and ill-defined conditions regarding which no diagnosis classifiable elsewhere is recorded.
  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated 'not otherwise specified', 'unknown etiology' or 'transient'. The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.
  • The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories R00-R94 consist of:
  • (a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;
  • (b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;
  • (c) provisional diagnosis in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;
  • (d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;
  • (e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;
  • (f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name R26, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming R26: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • F82 Specific developmental disorder of motor function
    abnormalities of gait and mobility (R26.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming R26: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • M25 Other joint disorder, not elsewhere classified
    abnormality of gait and mobility (R26.-)

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Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About R26Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for abnormalities of gait and mobility?

R26 is the ICD-10-CM category for abnormalities of gait and mobility, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is R26 (Abnormalities of gait and mobility) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for abnormalities of gait and mobility, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for abnormalities of gait and mobility need a more specific code from this category, such as R26.0, R26.1, and R26.2.

Can R26 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the abnormalities of gait and mobility is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

Can R26 be reported with R27.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on R26 lists "ataxia NOS (R27.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).