2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H16Keratitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H15-H22›H16

ICD-10-CM H16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for keratitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H16.001, H16.002, H16.003, and H16.009.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Keratitis
Short Description
Keratitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
H15-H22
Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH15-H22Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
CategoryH16Keratitis
This CodeH16Keratitis

Specific Coding for KeratitisOverview

Non-specific codes like H16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H16.0 for Corneal ulcer

  • H16.00 for Unspecified corneal ulcer

  • H16.01 for Central corneal ulcer

  • H16.02 for Ring corneal ulcer

  • H16.03 for Corneal ulcer with hypopyon

  • H16.04 for Marginal corneal ulcer

  • H16.05 for Mooren's corneal ulcer

  • H16.06 for Mycotic corneal ulcer

  • H16.07 for Perforated corneal ulcer

  • H16.1 for Other and unspecified superficial keratitis without conjunctivitis

  • H16.10 for Unspecified superficial keratitis

  • H16.11 for Macular keratitis

  • H16.12 for Filamentary keratitis

  • H16.13 for Photokeratitis

  • H16.14 for Punctate keratitis

  • H16.2 for Keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.20 for Unspecified keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.21 for Exposure keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.22 for Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, not specified as Sjogren's

  • H16.23 for Neurotrophic keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.24 for Ophthalmia nodosa

  • H16.25 for Phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.26 for Vernal keratoconjunctivitis, with limbar and corneal involvement

  • H16.29 for Other keratoconjunctivitis

  • H16.3 for Interstitial and deep keratitis

  • H16.30 for Unspecified interstitial keratitis

  • H16.31 for Corneal abscess

  • H16.32 for Diffuse interstitial keratitis

  • H16.33 for Sclerosing keratitis

  • H16.39 for Other interstitial and deep keratitis

  • H16.4 for Corneal neovascularization

  • H16.40 for Unspecified corneal neovascularization

  • H16.41 for Ghost vessels (corneal)

  • H16.42 for Pannus (corneal)

  • H16.43 for Localized vascularization of cornea

  • H16.44 for Deep vascularization of cornea

  • Use H16.8 for Other keratitis

  • Use H16.9 for Unspecified keratitis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H16: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 7. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 7 (H00-H59) Diseases of the eye and adnexa applies to 2,677 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • diabetes mellitus related eye conditions (E09.3-, E10.3-, E11.3-, E13.3-)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury (trauma) of eye and orbit (S05.-)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
  • syphilis related eye disorders (A50.01, A50.3-, A51.43, A52.71)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 7 (H00-H59) Diseases of the eye and adnexa applies to 2,677 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the eye condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the eye condition

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Keratitis

    inflammation of the cornea.

Patient EducationClinical

Corneal Disorders

Your cornea is the outermost layer of your eye. It is clear and shaped like a dome. The cornea helps to shield the rest of the eye from germs, dust, and other harmful matter. It also helps your eye to focus. If you wear contact lenses, they float on top of your corneas.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 H16Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for keratitis?

H16 is the ICD-10-CM category for keratitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H16 (Keratitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for keratitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for keratitis need a more specific code from this category, such as H16.001, H16.002, and H16.003.