2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D22.21Melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D10-D36›D22

ICD-10-CM D22.21
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

D22.21 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 606 through 607. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Benign neoplasms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D22.21
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal
Short Description
Melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
D22.2
Melanocytic nevi of ear and external auricular canal

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD10-D36Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors
CategoryD22Melanocytic nevi
This CodeD22.21Melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Benign neoplasm of skin of right ear
  • Congenital pigmented melanocytic nevus of skin of right ear
  • Dysplastic nevus of skin of right ear
  • Epidermal nevus of skin of left ear
  • Epidermal nevus of skin of right ear
  • Melanocytic nevus of ear
  • Melanocytic nevus of skin of right ear
  • Pigmented hairy epidermal nevus of bilateral ears
  • Pigmented hairy epidermal nevus of ear
  • Pigmented hairy epidermal nevus of left ear
  • Pigmented hairy epidermal nevus of right ear

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D22.21: its own notes plus those printed at D22 and Chapter 2. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From D22 Melanocytic nevi applies to 20 codes
  • atypical nevus
  • blue hairy pigmented nevus
  • nevus NOS

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 2 (C00-D49) Neoplasms applies to 1,730 codes
  • Functional activity
  • All neoplasms are classified in this chapter, whether they are functionally active or not. An additional code from Chapter 4 may be used, to identify functional activity associated with any neoplasm.
  • Morphology [Histology]
  • Chapter 2 classifies neoplasms primarily by site (topography), with broad groupings for behavior, malignant, in situ, benign, etc. The Table of Neoplasms should be used to identify the correct topography code. In a few cases, such as for malignant melanoma and certain neuroendocrine tumors, the morphology (histologic type) is included in the category and codes.
  • Primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries
  • A primary malignant neoplasm that overlaps two or more contiguous (next to each other) sites should be classified to the subcategory/code .8 ('overlapping lesion'), unless the combination is specifically indexed elsewhere. For multiple neoplasms of the same site that are not contiguous, such as tumors in different quadrants of the same breast, codes for each site should be assigned.
  • Malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue
  • Malignant neoplasms of ectopic tissue are to be coded to the site mentioned, e.g., ectopic pancreatic malignant neoplasms are coded to pancreas, unspecified (C25.9).

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name D22.21, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 3

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming D22.21: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • D14.0 Benign neoplasm of middle ear, nasal cavity and accessory sinuses
    benign neoplasm of auricular canal (external) (D22.2-, D23.2-) names D22.2-, which includes this code
  • D14.0 Benign neoplasm of middle ear, nasal cavity and accessory sinuses
    benign neoplasm of ear (external)(skin) (D22.2-, D23.2-) names D22.2-, which includes this code
  • I78.1 Nevus, non-neoplastic
    nevus NOS (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code

Excludes2 10

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming D22.21: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • D18 Hemangioma and lymphangioma, any site
    blue or pigmented nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • D18 Hemangioma and lymphangioma, any site
    nevus NOS (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • D23 Other benign neoplasms of skin
    melanocytic nevi (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • I78.1 Nevus, non-neoplastic
    blue nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • I78.1 Nevus, non-neoplastic
    hairy nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • I78.1 Nevus, non-neoplastic
    melanocytic nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • I78.1 Nevus, non-neoplastic
    pigmented nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • Q82.5 Congenital non-neoplastic nevus
    nevus NOS (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • Q82.5 Congenital non-neoplastic nevus
    melanocytic nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code
  • Q82.5 Congenital non-neoplastic nevus
    pigmented nevus (D22.-) names D22.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO073
Benign neoplasms
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Nevus, Pigmented

    a nevus containing melanin. the term is usually restricted to nevocytic nevi (round or oval collections of melanin-containing nevus cells occurring at the dermoepidermal junction of the skin or in the dermis proper) or moles, but may be applied to other pigmented nevi.

Patient EducationClinical

Birthmarks

Birthmarks are abnormalities of the skin that are present when a baby is born. There are two types of birthmarks. Vascular birthmarks are made up of blood vessels that haven't formed correctly. They are usually red. Two types of vascular birthmarks are hemangiomas and port-wine stains.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert D22.21 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
216.2 Benign neo skin ear
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 D22.21Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal?

The ICD-10-CM code for melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal is D22.21 (sometimes written as D2221). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is D22.21 (Melanocytic nevi of ear and external auricular canal) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does D22.21 group to?

When melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 607, 606, with relative weights from 0.8772 to 1.5721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D22.21?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, melanocytic nevi of right ear and external auricular canal converts to ICD-9-CM 216.2 (benign neo skin ear). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.