2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H72Perforation of tympanic membrane
H72 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for perforation of tympanic membrane, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H72.00, H72.01, H72.02, and H72.03.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Perforation of tympanic membraneOverview
Non-specific codes like H72 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
H72.0 for Central perforation of tympanic membrane
Use H72.00 for Central perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
Use H72.01 for Central perforation of tympanic membrane, right ear
Use H72.02 for Central perforation of tympanic membrane, left ear
Use H72.03 for Central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral
H72.1 for Attic perforation of tympanic membrane
Use H72.10 for Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
Use H72.11 for Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, right ear
Use H72.12 for Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, left ear
Use H72.13 for Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral
H72.2 for Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane
H72.2X for Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane
H72.8 for Other perforations of tympanic membrane
H72.81 for Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane
H72.82 for Total perforations of tympanic membrane
H72.9 for Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane
Use H72.90 for Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
Use H72.91 for Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, right ear
Use H72.92 for Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, left ear
Use H72.93 for Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Includes
- persistent post-traumatic perforation of ear drum
- postinflammatory perforation of ear drum
Code First
Type 1 Excludes
- acute suppurative otitis media with rupture of the tympanic membrane H66.01
- traumatic rupture of ear drum S09.2
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Patient EducationClinical
Ear Disorders
Your ear has three main parts: outer, middle and inner. You use all of them in hearing. Sound waves come in through your outer ear. They reach your middle ear, where they make your eardrum vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones, called ossicles, in your middle ear.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About H72Overview
Is H72 (Perforation of tympanic membrane) a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for perforation of tympanic membrane, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for perforation of tympanic membrane need a more specific code from this category, such as H72.00, H72.01, and H72.02.
