09N40ZZRelease Left External Auditory Canal, Open Approach
- Billable / Specific Code
09N40ZZ is a billable ICD-10-PCS procedure code for Release Left External Auditory Canal, Open Approach. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to 12 MS-DRGs. The root operation Release involves freeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by the use of force. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this procedure falls under ENT procedures, NEC.
Code Identity
PCS Table Breakdown
Each ICD-10-PCS code is built from seven characters, each an axis of the procedure. Hover or tap the icons for the official CMS definitions.
| Position | Designation | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Section | 0 | Medical and Surgical |
| 2 | Body System | 9 | Ear, Nose, Sinus |
| 3 | Operation | N | Release |
| 4 | BodyPart | 4 | External Auditory Canal, Left |
| 5 | Approach | 0 | Open |
| 6 | Device | Z | No Device |
| 7 | Qualifier | Z | No Qualifier |
In the ICD-10-PCS Alphabetic Index
These FY 2027 ICD-10-PCS Alphabetic Index entries lead to this code:
Clinical Classification (CCSR)
AHRQ groups this procedure code into these clinical categories.
Convert to ICD-9-PCS
Closest ICD-9-PCS equivalents for this code under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Similar Procedure Codes
Questions About 09N40ZZ
Is 09N40ZZ a billable code?
Yes. This is a complete seven-character ICD-10-PCS code, specific enough to report Release Left External Auditory Canal, Open Approach on inpatient claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What do the characters in 09N40ZZ mean?
The code breaks down character by character: the 1st character 0 is the Section (Medical and Surgical); the 2nd character 9 is the Body System (Ear, Nose, Sinus); the 3rd character N is the Operation (Release); the 4th character 4 is the BodyPart (External Auditory Canal, Left); the 5th character 0 is the Approach (Open); the 6th character Z is the Device (No Device); the 7th character Z is the Qualifier (No Qualifier).
What MS-DRG does 09N40ZZ group to?
On an inpatient stay, Release Left External Auditory Canal, Open Approach maps to MS-DRGs 143, 144, 145, 579, 580, 581, 907, 908, 909, 957, 958, 959, with relative weights from 1.2335 to 7.5502. The MS-DRG sets the fixed Medicare payment for the stay.
What is the ICD-9-PCS equivalent of 09N40ZZ?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, Release Left External Auditory Canal, Open Approach crosswalks to ICD-9-PCS 18.9 (Other operations on external ear). The mapping is approximate, so confirm it fits the documentation.
