2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M95.12Cauliflower ear, left ear
ICD-10-CM Codes›M00–M99›M95›M95
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
M95.12 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cauliflower ear, left 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. Coders also document this condition as acquired cauliflower ear of left pinna. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Acquired deformities (excluding foot).
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Acquired cauliflower ear of left pinna
- Acquired deformity of left ear
- Acquired deformity of left pinna
- Acquired deformity of pinna
- Cauliflower ear
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to M95.12: its own notes plus those printed at M95.1, M95, and Chapter 13. 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.
- acquired absence of limbs and organs (Z89-Z90)
- acquired deformities of limbs (M20-M21)
- congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79)
- deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43)
- dentofacial anomalies [including malocclusion] (M26.-)
- postprocedural musculoskeletal disorders (M96.-)
- arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
- 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.
- Use an external cause code following the code for the musculoskeletal condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the musculoskeletal 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 M95.12, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes2 2
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming M95.12: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Ear Disorders
An ear disorder is any condition that changes or harms the shape or structure of your ear. This can include abnormal ear shapes you're born with, injuries that change your ear's shape, and a growth on or in the ear.
The full article covers:
- What is an ear disorder?
- What causes ear disorders?
- What are the symptoms of ear disorders?
- How are ear disorders diagnosed?
- How are ear disorders treated?
- Can ear disorders be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert M95.12 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About M95.12Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for cauliflower ear, left ear?
The ICD-10-CM code for cauliflower ear, left ear is M95.12 (sometimes written as M9512). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is M95.12 (Cauliflower ear) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cauliflower ear, left ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does M95.12 group to?
When cauliflower ear, left 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 M95.12?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cauliflower ear, left ear converts to ICD-9-CM 738.7 (cauliflower ear). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
