2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H71.33Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H71

ICD-10-CM H71.33
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H71.33 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. Coders also document this condition as cholesterolosis of middle ear. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Diseases of middle ear and mastoid (except otitis media).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H71.33
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral
Short Description
Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H71.3
Diffuse cholesteatosis

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
CategoryH71Cholesteatoma of middle ear
This CodeH71.33Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cholesterolosis of middle ear
  • Diffuse cholesteatosis of bilateral middle ears
  • Diffuse cholesteatosis of left middle ear
  • Diffuse cholesteatosis of middle ear
  • Diffuse cholesteatosis of right middle ear

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EAR002
Diseases of middle ear and mastoid (except otitis media)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Ear Infections

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Adults can also get ear infections, but they are less common.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H71.33 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
385.35 Diffuse cholesteatosis
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H71.33Overview

Is H71.33 (Diffuse cholesteatosis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H71.33 group to?

When diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H71.33?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral converts to ICD-9-CM 385.35 (diffuse cholesteatosis). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.