2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H26Other cataract

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H25-H28›H26

ICD-10-CM H26
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H26 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other cataract, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H26.001, H26.002, H26.003, and H26.009.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H26
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other cataract
Short Description
Other cataract
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
H25-H28
Disorders of lens

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH25-H28Disorders of lens
CategoryH26Other cataract
This CodeH26Other cataract

Specific Coding for Other cataractOverview

Non-specific codes like H26 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H26.0 for Infantile and juvenile cataract

  • H26.00 for Unspecified infantile and juvenile cataract

  • H26.01 for Infantile and juvenile cortical, lamellar, or zonular cataract

  • H26.03 for Infantile and juvenile nuclear cataract

  • H26.04 for Anterior subcapsular polar infantile and juvenile cataract

  • H26.05 for Posterior subcapsular polar infantile and juvenile cataract

  • H26.06 for Combined forms of infantile and juvenile cataract

  • Use H26.09 for Other infantile and juvenile cataract

  • H26.1 for Traumatic cataract

  • H26.10 for Unspecified traumatic cataract

  • H26.11 for Localized traumatic opacities

  • H26.12 for Partially resolved traumatic cataract

  • H26.13 for Total traumatic cataract

  • H26.2 for Complicated cataract

  • Use H26.20 for Unspecified complicated cataract

  • H26.21 for Cataract with neovascularization

  • H26.22 for Cataract secondary to ocular disorders (degenerative) (inflammatory)

  • H26.23 for Glaucomatous flecks (subcapsular)

  • H26.3 for Drug-induced cataract

  • Use H26.30 for Drug-induced cataract, unspecified eye

  • Use H26.31 for Drug-induced cataract, right eye

  • Use H26.32 for Drug-induced cataract, left eye

  • Use H26.33 for Drug-induced cataract, bilateral

  • H26.4 for Secondary cataract

  • Use H26.40 for Unspecified secondary cataract

  • H26.41 for Soemmering's ring

  • H26.49 for Other secondary cataract

  • Use H26.8 for Other specified cataract

  • Use H26.9 for Unspecified cataract

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H26: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 7. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

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

  • congenital cataract (Q12.0)

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.

Patient EducationClinical

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens inside your eye. This cloudiness blocks light from reaching the back of the eye, making it harder to see clearly. A cataract can affect one or both eyes, but it doesn't spread from one eye to the other.

The full article covers:

  • What are cataracts?
  • What causes cataracts?
  • Who is more likely to develop cataracts?
  • What are the symptoms of cataracts?
  • How are cataracts diagnosed?
  • How are cataracts treated?
  • Can cataracts be prevented?

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 H26Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other cataract?

H26 is the ICD-10-CM category for other cataract, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H26 (Other cataract) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other cataract, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other cataract need a more specific code from this category, such as H26.001, H26.002, and H26.003.

Can H26 be reported with Q12.0?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on H26 lists "congenital cataract (Q12.0)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).