2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H35.70Unspecified separation of retinal layers

ICD-10-CM Codes›H00–H59›H30-H36›H35

ICD-10-CM H35.70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H35.70 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified separation of retinal layers. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 124 through 125. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 74 closely related codes. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Retinal and vitreous conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H35.70
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified separation of retinal layers
Short Description
Unspecified separation of retinal layers
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H35.7
Separation of retinal layers

Code Classification

ChapterH00–H59Diseases of the eye and adnexa
SectionH30-H36Disorders of choroid and retina
CategoryH35Other retinal disorders
This CodeH35.70Unspecified separation of retinal layers

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H35.70: its own notes plus those printed at H35.7, H35, and 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.

From H35.7 Separation of retinal layers applies to 13 codes
  • retinal detachment (serous) (H33.2-)
  • rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (H33.0-)

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 H35 Other retinal disorders applies to 175 codes
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.

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EYE005
Retinal and vitreous conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Retinal Disorders

Retinal disorders are conditions that affect the retina, the thin light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. The retina senses light and sends signals to your brain so you can see.

The full article covers:

  • What are retinal disorders?
  • What causes retinal disorders?
  • What are common retinal disorders?
  • What are the symptoms of retinal disorders?
  • How are retinal disorders diagnosed?
  • How are retinal disorders treated?
  • Can retinal disorders be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H35.70 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
362.40 Retina layer separat NOS
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 H35.70Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified separation of retinal layers?

The ICD-10-CM code for unspecified separation of retinal layers is H35.70 (sometimes written as H3570). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H35.70 (Separation of retinal layers) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified separation of retinal layers on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does H35.70 group to?

When unspecified separation of retinal layers is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 125, 124, with relative weights from 0.7699 to 1.2470 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is H35.70 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists H35.70 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 74 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

Can H35.70 be reported with a code from H33.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at H35.7, which applies to H35.70, lists "retinal detachment (serous) (H33.2-)". 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).