2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H71.90Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H71

ICD-10-CM H71.90
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H71.90 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. 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
H71.90
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear
Short Description
Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H71.9
Unspecified cholesteatoma

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
CategoryH71Cholesteatoma of middle ear
This CodeH71.90Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acquired cholesteatoma of middle ear
  • Cholesteatoma
  • Cholesteatoma and aural polyp
  • Cholesteatoma of middle ear
  • Cholesteatoma of middle ear and mastoid
  • Cholesterol granuloma of mastoid
  • Cholesterol granuloma of middle ear
  • Cholesterol granuloma of middle ear and mastoid
  • Congenital cholesteatoma
  • Keratosis of middle ear
  • Mastoid cholesteatoma
  • Polyp of middle ear

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H71.90: its own notes plus those printed at H71 and Chapter 8. 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 H71 Cholesteatoma of middle ear applies to 20 codes
  • cholesteatoma of external ear (H60.4-)
  • recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-)
From Chapter 8 (H60-H95) Diseases of the ear and mastoid process applies to 653 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)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • 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)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 8 (H60-H95) Diseases of the ear and mastoid process applies to 653 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the ear condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the ear condition

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name H71.90, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming H71.90: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • H60.4 Cholesteatoma of external ear
    cholesteatoma of middle ear (H71.-) names H71.-, which includes this code

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Cholesteatoma

    a non-neoplastic mass of keratin-producing squamous epithelium, frequently occurring in the meninges; bones of the skull, and most commonly in the middle ear and mastoid region. cholesteatoma can be congenital or acquired. cholesteatoma is not a tumor nor is it associated with high cholesterol.

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 H71.90 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
385.30 Cholesteatoma NOS
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 H71.90Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear?

The ICD-10-CM code for unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear is H71.90 (sometimes written as H7190). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H71.90 (Unspecified cholesteatoma) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does H71.90 group to?

When unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 156, 155, 154, with relative weights from 0.6656 to 1.5916 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H71.90?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 385.30 (cholesteatoma NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.