2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D23.20Other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

Billable — Valid for Submission
Not Chronic

ICD-10-CM D23.20

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

D23.20 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified 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. Coders also document this condition as benign neoplasm of ear, nose, and/or throat. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Benign neoplasms.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code

D23.20

Billable Status

Yes — Valid for Submission

Code Describes

Other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

Short Description

Oth benign neoplasm skin/ unsp ear and external auric canal

Parent Code

D23.2

Other benign neoplasm of skin of ear and external auricular canal

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms

SectionD10-D36Benign neoplasms, except benign neuroendocrine tumors

CategoryD23Other benign neoplasms of skin

This CodeD23.20Other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified ear and external auricular canal

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

Benign neoplasm of ear, nose, and/or throat
Benign neoplasm of external ear
Benign neoplasm of skin of auricle
Benign neoplasm of skin of ear
Benign neoplasm of skin of external auditory meatus
Benign skin tumor with apocrine differentiation
Ceruminous adenoma

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D23.20: its own notes plus those printed at D23 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 D23 Other benign neoplasms of skin applies to 20 codes

benign neoplasm of hair follicles
benign neoplasm of sebaceous glands
benign neoplasm of sweat glands

Excludes1

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

From D23 Other benign neoplasms of skin applies to 20 codes

benign lipomatous neoplasms of skin (D17.0-D17.3)

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 D23 Other benign neoplasms of skin applies to 20 codes

melanocytic nevi (D22.-)

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 D23.20, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming D23.20: 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 D23.2-, 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 D23.2-, 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

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Anatomical sites in the Table of Neoplasms that reference this code family.

Filter table of neoplasms:

Site	Malig. Primary	Malig. Secondary	Ca in situ	Benign	Uncertain	Unspec.
auditory › canal (external) (skin)	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
auricle, ear [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
auricular canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
canal › auditory (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
canal › auricular (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
concha [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › auricle or auris [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › canal, external [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › external meatus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › lobule [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
ear (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear] › skin	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
earlobe	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
external › meatus (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
helix [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
meatus external (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
pinna (ear) NEC [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › auditory canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › auricle (ear) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › auricular canal (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › concha [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › ear (external)	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › helix [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › meatus, acoustic (external) [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › pinna [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
skin NOS › tragus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2
tragus [See Also: Neoplasm, skin, ear]	C44.20	C79.2	D04.2	D23.2	D48.5	D49.2

Patient EducationClinical

Benign Tumors

Tumors are abnormal growths in your body. They can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer. Malignant ones are. Benign tumors grow only in one place. They cannot spread or invade other parts of your body. Even so, they can be dangerous if they press on vital organs, such as your brain.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert D23.20 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 D23.20Overview

Is D23.20 a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does D23.20 group to?

When other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified 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 D23.20?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other benign neoplasm of skin of unspecified 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.

Indicator	Meaning	CMS pays CC/MCC DRG
Y	Diagnosis was present at the time of inpatient admission	Yes
N	Diagnosis was not present at the time of admission	No
U	Documentation is insufficient to determine	No
W	Clinically undetermined	Yes
1	Unreported, exempt from POA reporting	No

Code Identity

Code Classification

MS-DRG MappingBilling

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Instructional NotesGuidance

Includes

Excludes1

Excludes2

Notes

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Excludes1 2

Clinical ClassificationClinical

Table of NeoplasmsClinical

Patient EducationClinical

Benign Tumors

Convert D23.20 to ICD-9-CMHistory

Code HistoryHistory

Other ICD-10-CM Codes Used for Similar ConditionsRelated

Questions About D23.20Overview

Is D23.20 a billable code?

What MS-DRG does D23.20 group to?

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D23.20?