2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H72.90Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H72
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
H72.90 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear. 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 perforation of tympanic membrane. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Diseases of middle ear and mastoid (except otitis media).
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Perforation of tympanic membrane
- Perforation of tympanic membrane due to otitis media
- Perforation of tympanic membrane with proliferation of keratinized epithelium from middle to external ear
- Persistent posttraumatic perforation of ear drum
- Postinflammatory perforation of ear drum
- Tear of tympanic membrane
- Traumatic tympanic membrane perforation
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
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Convert H72.90 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About H72.90Overview
Is H72.90 (Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does H72.90 group to?
When unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear 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 H72.90?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 384.20 (perforat tympan memb NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
