Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code N35

Urethral stricture

ICD-10-CM Code:
N35
ICD-10 Code for:
Urethral stricture
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the genitourinary system
    (N00–N99)
    • Other diseases of the urinary system
      (N30-N39)
      • Urethral stricture
        (N35)

N35 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of urethral stricture. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Urethral stricture

Non-specific codes like N35 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for urethral stricture:

  • N35.0 for Post-traumatic urethral stricture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.01 for Post-traumatic urethral stricture, male - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.02 for Post-traumatic urethral stricture, female - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.1 for Postinfective urethral stricture, not elsewhere classified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.11 for Postinfective urethral stricture, not elsewhere classified, male - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use N35.12 for Postinfective urethral stricture, not elsewhere classified, female - BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.8 for Other urethral stricture - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.81 for Other urethral stricture, male - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use N35.82 for Other urethral stricture, female - BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.9 for Urethral stricture, unspecified - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • N35.91 for Urethral stricture, unspecified, male - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use N35.92 for Unspecified urethral stricture, female - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Urethral Stricture

    narrowing of any part of the urethra. it is characterized by decreased urinary stream and often other obstructive voiding symptoms.
  • Urethra

    a tube that transports urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body in both the sexes. it also has a reproductive function in the male by providing a passage for sperm.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
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.
  • congenital urethral stricture Q64.3
  • postprocedural urethral stricture N99.1

Patient Education


Urethral Disorders

The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body. In men, it's a long tube that runs through the penis. It also carries semen in men. In women, it's short and is just above the vagina. Urethral problems may happen due to aging, illness, or injury. They include:

  • Urethral cancer - a rare cancer that happens more often in men
  • Urethral stricture - a narrowing of the opening of the urethra
  • Urethritis - inflammation of the urethra, sometimes caused by infection

Urethral problems may cause pain or difficulty passing urine. You may also have bleeding or discharge from the urethra.

Doctors diagnose urethral problems using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays and an examination of the urethra with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.