2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O70Perineal laceration during delivery

ICD-10-CM Codes›O00-O9A›O60-O77›O70

ICD-10-CM O70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

O70 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for perineal laceration during delivery, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as O70.0, O70.1, O70.20, and O70.21.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
O70
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Perineal laceration during delivery
Short Description
Perineal laceration during delivery
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
O60-O77
Complications of labor and delivery

Code Classification

ChapterO00-O9APregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
SectionO60-O77Complications of labor and delivery
CategoryO70Perineal laceration during delivery
This CodeO70Perineal laceration during delivery

Specific Coding for Perineal laceration during deliveryOverview

Non-specific codes like O70 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use O70.0 for First degree perineal laceration during delivery

  • Use O70.1 for Second degree perineal laceration during delivery

  • O70.2 for Third degree perineal laceration during delivery

  • Use O70.20 for Third degree perineal laceration during delivery, unspecified

  • Use O70.21 for Third degree perineal laceration during delivery, IIIa

  • Use O70.22 for Third degree perineal laceration during delivery, IIIb

  • Use O70.23 for Third degree perineal laceration during delivery, IIIc

  • Use O70.3 for Fourth degree perineal laceration during delivery

  • Use O70.4 for Anal sphincter tear complicating delivery, not associated with third degree laceration

  • Use O70.9 for Perineal laceration during delivery, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to O70: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 15. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • episiotomy extended by laceration

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

On O70 itself
  • obstetric high vaginal laceration alone (O71.4)
From Chapter 15 (O00-O9A) Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium applies to 2,481 codes
  • supervision of normal pregnancy (Z34.-)

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 Chapter 15 (O00-O9A) Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium applies to 2,481 codes
  • mental and behavioral disorders associated with the puerperium (F53.-)
  • obstetrical tetanus (A34)
  • postpartum necrosis of pituitary gland (E23.0)
  • puerperal osteomalacia (M83.0)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Chapter 15 (O00-O9A) Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium applies to 2,481 codes
  • code, if applicable, from category Z3A, Weeks of gestation, to identify the specific week of the pregnancy, if known.

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 15 (O00-O9A) Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium applies to 2,481 codes
  • CODES FROM THIS CHAPTER ARE FOR USE ONLY ON MATERNAL RECORDS, NEVER ON NEWBORN RECORDS
  • Codes from this chapter are for use for conditions related to or aggravated by the pregnancy, childbirth, or by the puerperium (maternal causes or obstetric causes)
  • Trimesters are counted from the first day of the last menstrual period. They are defined as follows:
  • 1st trimester- less than 14 weeks 0 days
  • 2nd trimester- 14 weeks 0 days to less than 28 weeks 0 days
  • 3rd trimester- 28 weeks 0 days until delivery

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name O70, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 4

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming O70: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • N89.8 Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vagina
    current obstetric trauma (O70.-, O71.4, O71.7-O71.8)
  • N90 Other noninflammatory disorders of vulva and perineum
    current obstetric trauma (O70.-, O71.7-O71.8)
  • O71.4 Obstetric high vaginal laceration alone
    obstetric high vaginal laceration with perineal laceration (O70.-)
  • S31.4 Open wound of vagina and vulva
    injury to vagina and vulva during delivery (O70.-, O71.4)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming O70: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

Patient EducationClinical

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Taking home a new baby is one of the happiest times in a woman's life. But it also presents both physical and emotional challenges. :

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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 O70Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for perineal laceration during delivery?

O70 is the ICD-10-CM category for perineal laceration during delivery, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is O70 (Perineal laceration during delivery) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for perineal laceration during delivery, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for perineal laceration during delivery need a more specific code from this category, such as O70.0, O70.1, and O70.20.

Can O70 be reported with O71.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on O70 lists "obstetric high vaginal laceration alone (O71.4)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).