Plantar Fasciitis ICD-10 Code (M67.A0-): The Complete 2027 Billing Guide

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that about 2 million patients receive treatment for plantar fasciitis each year. The ICD-10 code for plantar fasciitis is M67.A0-, reported by side.

American Family Physician data place plantar fasciitis at roughly 1 million patient visits per year, with about 60% reaching primary care. The lifetime incidence reaches 10%, and the incidence rises in women aged 40 to 60. Accurate podiatry billing services start with coding each encounter to M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09.

This guide covers the plantar fasciitis ICD-10 code, M67.A0-, the related Ledderhose disease code (M72.2-), the heel pain codes (M79.67-), and the calcaneal spur codes (M77.3-). The guide also pairs each diagnosis with its CPT codes and modifiers. The FY2027 ICD-10-CM edition takes effect October 1, 2026, and moves plantar fasciitis into its own dedicated code for the first time.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Plantar Fasciitis?

The ICD-10 code for plantar fasciitis is M67.A0-, reported by laterality as M67.A01 (right), M67.A02 (left), or M67.A09 (unspecified foot). The code is new for FY2027, effective October 1, 2026. M67.A sits in the M65 to M67 synovium and tendon block of Chapter 13, not the M70 to M79 block that housed the retired code, M72.2.

The table below maps plantar fasciitis to its two adjacent code families used later in this guide.

M72.2 names the diagnosis, while the M79.67- and M77.3- codes capture related pain and bony findings.

How Does ICD-10-CM Define Plantar Fasciitis (M67.A0-)?

M67.A0- defines plantar fasciitis, the degenerative irritation of the plantar fascia at the medial calcaneal tubercle. NIH StatPearls notes the absence of inflammatory cells, which is why clinicians also use the term plantar fasciopathy. The code carries the inclusion term plantar fasciitis NOS.

How Does ICD-10-CM Define Plantar Fascial Fibromatosis (M72.2)?

M72.2 defines plantar fascial fibromatosis, also called Ledderhose disease, a nodular thickening of the plantar fascia distinct from plantar fasciitis. Effective October 1, 2026, plantar fasciitis is removed as an inclusion term under M72.2 and reported instead under M67.A0-.

Why Is Plantar Fasciitis Coded M67.A and Not M72.2?

Plantar fasciitis moves out of the M72 fibroblastic disorders category entirely for FY2027 and into M67, other disorders of synovium and tendon. M72.2 remains billable, but only for Ledderhose disease, a separate nodular condition. A plantar fasciitis diagnosis no longer supports M72.2 on or after October 1, 2026.

Is There a Separate ICD-10 Code for Left or Right Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes, effective October 1, 2026. M67.A01 reports right-side plantar fasciitis, and M67.A02 reports left-side plantar fasciitis. M67.A09 applies when the side is not documented. The prior code, M72.2, carried no laterality; coders still add RT or LT on the procedure line regardless, since payer edits check the CPT line independently of the diagnosis code.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis?

Bilateral plantar fasciitis reports two codes effective October 1, 2026: M67.A01 for the right foot and M67.A02 for the left foot. No combined bilateral code exists. M67.A09 is reserved for an undocumented side, not for a bilateral diagnosis.

What Is the Difference Between Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fibromatosis (Ledderhose Disease)?

Plantar fasciitis and Ledderhose disease describe different findings and, as of October 1, 2026, carry different codes. Plantar fasciitis is degenerative heel pain at the fascia origin and codes to M67.A0- by side. Ledderhose disease forms fibrous nodules along the mid-arch fascia and codes to M72.2- by side. Before FY2027, both conditions shared M72.2.

Why Does Code Specificity Affect Plantar Fasciitis Reimbursement?

Code specificity affects plantar fasciitis reimbursement at the point of medical necessity. A documented M67.A01 or M67.A02 diagnosis supports injection, shockwave, and surgical claims. Defaulting to unspecified foot pain (M79.673), or to the retired code M72.2, weakens medical necessity and raises denial risk on procedural lines.

What Are the Related ICD-10 Codes for Heel and Plantar Pain?

The related codes for heel and plantar pain span three categories, grouped here by clinical relevance rather than by code family. These codes form part of the broader podiatry ICD-10 codes set for foot and ankle billing.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Heel Pain? (M79.67-)

No dedicated heel pain code exists in ICD-10-CM. Heel pain maps to foot pain codes when the provider documents no cause. Right heel pain uses M79.671, left heel pain uses M79.672, and M79.673 covers an unspecified foot.

Code	Description
M79.671	Pain in right foot
M79.672	Pain in left foot
M79.673	Pain in unspecified foot

Coders apply M79.67- only when the provider documents heel pain without a confirmed diagnosis, such as plantar fasciitis.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for a Calcaneal Spur (Heel Spur)? (M77.3-)

The ICD-10 code for a calcaneal spur is M77.30, M77.31, or M77.32 by laterality. The calcaneal spur ICD-10 codes belong to the M77.3- family. A spur is a distinct finding from plantar fasciitis, and both codes report together when documentation supports each.

Code	Description
M77.30	Calcaneal spur, unspecified foot
M77.31	Calcaneal spur, right foot
M77.32	Calcaneal spur, left foot

The AAOS reports that about 1 in 10 people have heel spurs, yet only 1 in 20 with a spur reports foot pain. A spur, therefore, supports a claim only when the chart links it to symptoms.

Which Differential Diagnoses Are Coded Alongside Heel Pain?

Five differential diagnoses share the heel pain workup and carry their own codes. Each one routes to a distinct part of the foot and ankle code set.

• Achilles tendinitis: M76.6-
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: G57.5-
• Calcaneal stress fracture: documented fracture codes by site
• Plantar fat pad atrophy: soft-tissue codes by finding
• Sever disease (calcaneal apophysitis): M92.6, used in pediatric patients

How Do You Code Bilateral Heel Pain?

Bilateral heel pain reports two codes, M79.671 and M79.672, because no single bilateral foot-pain code exists. When plantar fasciitis affects both feet, coders report M67.A01 and M67.A02 together.

How Do You Choose the Correct Plantar Fasciitis ICD-10 Code?

Correct code selection for heel pain follows a three-step decision path. Each step matches the documentation to one code. Coders cross-reference the full ICD-10 codes guide when the chart presents more than one finding.

What Is the Step-by-Step Logic for Coding Heel Pain?

The decision path moves from confirmed diagnosis to symptom to bony finding.

1. Confirmed plantar fasciitis: assign M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09 by side.
2. Calcaneal spur on imaging with symptoms: add M77.3- by side.
3. Heel pain with no established cause: assign M79.67- by side.

When Should You Code M67.A0- Instead of M79.67- (Foot Pain)?

Coders assign M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09 when the provider documents plantar fasciitis as the diagnosis. M79.67- applies only to a symptom-only encounter with no confirmed cause.

How Do Excludes Notes Apply to M67.A0- and M79.67-?

Excludes notes control, which codes reports together. M79.67- carries Excludes1 notes that block pain codes when a definitive musculoskeletal diagnosis exists. Once a provider confirms plantar fasciitis, M67.A0- replaces the M79.67- pain code rather than joining it.

What Documentation Supports a Plantar Fasciitis ICD-10 Claim?

Documentation supports a plantar fasciitis claim when the note records the diagnosis, the side, the exam findings, and the prior care. Complete documentation supports both the diagnosis code and the procedural CPT codes.

What Clinical Elements Must the Provider’s Note Contain?

The provider note contains five elements for a clean M72.2 claim.

• Diagnosis: plantar fasciitis, distinguished from plantar fascial fibromatosis (Ledderhose disease), which codes separately as of FY2027
• Side: right, left, or bilateral for the procedure line
• Onset and chronicity: acute or chronic, with duration
• Exam findings: positive windlass test, first-step pain, point tenderness at the medial calcaneal tubercle
• Conservative care: prior treatments and patient response

What Imaging Supports the Diagnosis? (X-Ray, Ultrasound, MRI)

Imaging supports the diagnosis and the medical necessity for procedures. A foot x-ray identifies a calcaneal spur. Ultrasound measures plantar fascia thickness above 4 mm. MRI documents refractory cases before surgery. Imaging confirms findings but does not change the M67.A0- code itself.

How Should Conservative-Care Failure Be Documented for ESWT and Surgery?

Conservative-care failure documentation records each trial and its result. Payers require this trail before extracorporeal shockwave therapy or surgery. The note lists NSAIDs, stretching, physical therapy, orthotics, a night splint, and any injection, with dates and responses.

Which CPT Codes and Modifiers Pair With Plantar Fasciitis ICD-10 Codes?

Plantar fasciitis ICD-10 codes pair with CPT codes for injections, shockwave therapy, strapping, imaging, and surgery. Correct CPT-to-ICD-10 pairing supports medical necessity and prevents denials.

Which CPT Codes Are Billed With Plantar Fasciitis (M72.2)?

The table below lists the CPT and HCPCS codes most billed with M72.2 and the related heel codes.

Injection and shockwave codes carry the highest claim volume, while the surgical codes apply to the 5% to 10% of cases that resist conservative care.

Note: 28060/28062 now genuinely branches by documentation. It pairs with M67.A0- when performed for refractory plantar fasciitis, and with M72.2- when the surgery excises a Ledderhose nodule. This is the one place the split changes which diagnosis code actually supports the surgical claim, not just which code is more specific.

Plantar Fascia Injection (CPT 20550)

CPT 20550 reports a single injection into the plantar fascia ligament. The code pairs with M67.A01 or M67.A02 by side. The RT or LT modifier still carries the side on the procedure line even though the diagnosis code states it too.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (CPT 28890)

CPT 28890 reports high-energy shockwave therapy to the plantar fascia. Many payers classify CPT 28890 as investigational, so prior authorization and conservative-care documentation precede the claim.

Plantar Fasciotomy and Fasciectomy (CPT 28008, 28060, 28062, 29893)

CPT 28060 and 28062 report partial and radical plantar fasciectomy. CPT 29893 reports endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. Each surgical claim requires documented failure of conservative care. CPT 28060 and 28062 pair with M67.A0- for refractory plantar fasciitis, or with M72.2- when excising a Ledderhose nodule; documentation decides which.

Strapping and Low-Dye Taping (CPT 29540)

CPT 29540 reports strapping of the ankle and foot, including Low-Dye taping for plantar fasciitis. The code pairs with M67.A0- or a heel pain code when taping supports the arch.

Which HCPCS Codes Cover Orthotics and Night Splints for Plantar Fasciitis?

HCPCS codes cover custom orthotics and night splints billed as durable medical equipment. L3000 covers a custom foot orthotic. L3020 covers an arch insert. L4396 and L4397 cover a plantar fasciitis night splint. Coverage requires documentation and the KX or GA modifier.

Which Modifiers Apply Most Often to Plantar Fasciitis Claims?

Modifiers RT, LT, 50, 25, and 59 apply most often to plantar fasciitis claims. As of October 1, 2026, the plantar fasciitis diagnosis code (M67.A01/M67.A02) also states the side, but the procedure line still needs its own modifier since payers match the CPT line independently.

When Do You Use RT and LT to Carry the Foot Side?

Modifiers RT and LT record the right or left foot on the procedure line. The M67.A0- diagnosis code carries the side as of October 1, 2026, but the CPT line still needs its own RT or LT. An absent modifier still triggers automated edits, independent of the diagnosis code’s laterality.

When Do You Use Modifier 50 for Bilateral Procedures?

Modifier 50 reports a bilateral procedure, such as a bilateral plantar fascia injection in one session. Coders confirm the CPT is not already bilateral before adding modifier 50.

When Do You Use Modifier 25 With a Same-Day Injection?

Modifier 25 reports a significant, separate evaluation and management service on the same day as an injection. The note documents the distinct service.

When Do You Use Modifier 59 or XU?

Modifier 59 or XU reports a distinct procedural service, such as an injection plus strapping on the same day. The modifier separates the two procedures for payment.

How Do You Avoid CPT-ICD-10 Mismatches on Foot Claims?

Coders avoid mismatches by aligning the procedure side with the documented foot and the diagnosis with the procedure. A right plantar fascia injection (20550, RT) pairs with M67.A01 and a right-side note, never with a left-foot record. A mismatch between the CPT modifier and the ICD-10 laterality is a new edit risk this code introduces.

What Are the Most Common Plantar Fasciitis Coding Denials, and How Do You Prevent Them?

The most common plantar fasciitis denials come from unspecified pain codes, a missing procedure side, absent conservative-care documentation, and CPT-ICD-10 mismatches.

Why Do Unspecified Foot Pain Codes (M79.673) Drive Denials?

Unspecified foot pain codes drive denials because procedural claims expect a confirmed diagnosis. A 20550 injection paired with M79.673 instead of M67.A0 weakens medical necessity. Payers downgrade or deny the line when the chart supports the specific code.

How Does a Missing Procedure Side Cause Rejections?

A missing procedure side causes rejections when the RT or LT modifier is absent on the CPT line, even though the M67.A0- diagnosis code itself states the side as of October 1, 2026. Payer edits still check the procedure line independently.

Why Are M72.2 Claims Denied for a Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis After October 1, 2026?

M72.2 claims deny for a documented plantar fasciitis diagnosis because plantar fasciitis is removed as an inclusion term under M72.2 effective October 1, 2026. Any EHR favorite or pick-list still mapping plantar fasciitis to M72.2 produces a denial until updated to M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09.

Why Are ESWT and Injection Claims Denied Without Conservative-Care Documentation?

Shockwave and repeat-injection claims face denial when the chart lacks a conservative-care trail. Payer policies require NSAIDs, stretching, orthotics, and time before advanced treatment. High-volume foot and ankle groups partner with podiatry billing companies to manage these appeals and documentation reviews.

How Do Payer-Specific Rules Change Plantar Fasciitis Reimbursement?

Each payer applies its own rules to plantar fasciitis procedures. The table below summarizes common payer positions.

Payer	Common Rule
Medicare	LCDs require conservative-care documentation for injections and surgery; orthotic coverage is limited
BCBS plans	Shockwave therapy often denied as investigational; coverage varies by state plan
UnitedHealthcare	Prior authorization required for shockwave therapy and most surgical foot procedures
Aetna	Step therapy and conservative-care trial required before advanced treatment

Payers share one pattern: a specific M72.2 diagnosis, the correct side, and a conservative-care trail support payment across plans.

What Changed in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM Update for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain?

The FY2027 update takes effect October 1, 2026, and moves plantar fasciitis into its own dedicated code for the first time.

Which Codes Changed for FY2027?

Plantar fasciitis moves out of M72.2 and into a new category, M67.A: M67.A01 (right), M67.A02 (left), M67.A09 (unspecified). M72.2 now covers only Ledderhose disease and itself splits into M72.20, M72.21, M72.22.

Why Does This Change Matter More Than a Typical Code Split?

The two conditions shared one code for years and now diverge completely. A pick-list built on M72.2 for plantar fasciitis isn’t just less specific after October 1, 2026, it names the wrong condition. Treat this as a diagnosis-mapping fix, not a routine refresh.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plantar Fasciitis ICD-10 Coding

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Plantar Fasciitis?

The ICD-10 code for plantar fasciitis is M67.A01 (right), M67.A02 (left), or M67.A09 (unspecified), effective October 1, 2026. M72.2 now applies only to Ledderhose disease.

Is There a Separate ICD-10 Code for Left or Right Plantar Fasciitis?

Yes, as of October 1, 2026: M67.A01 right, M67.A02 left.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis?

The ICD-10 code for bilateral plantar fasciitis is now two codes, M67.A01 and M67.A02; no combined bilateral code exists.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for Heel Pain?

Heel pain with no confirmed cause uses M79.671 (right), M79.672 (left), or M79.673 (unspecified foot). A confirmed plantar fasciitis diagnosis replaces these codes with M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09.

What Is the ICD-10 Code for a Heel Spur?

A heel spur uses M77.30 (unspecified), M77.31 (right), or M77.32 (left). The spur code reports with M72.2 when documentation supports both findings.

Can You Report M67.A0- and M77.3- Together?

Yes, M67.A0- and a M77.3- spur code report together when the chart documents plantar fasciitis and a symptomatic calcaneal spur in the same foot.

What CPT Code Is Used for a Plantar Fasciitis Injection?

CPT 20550 reports a plantar fascia injection. The code pairs with M67.A01 or M67.A02 by side.

Is ESWT for Plantar Fasciitis Covered by Insurance?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (CPT 28890) faces frequent denial as investigational. Coverage requires prior authorization and documented failure of conservative care.

What Happened to ICD-10 Code M72.2 for Plantar Fasciitis?

Effective October 1, 2026, M72.2 no longer covers plantar fasciitis. It moves to M67.A01, M67.A02, or M67.A09. M72.2 continues to apply only to Ledderhose disease.