2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q35Cleft palate

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q35-Q37›Q35

ICD-10-CM Q35
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Q35 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for cleft palate, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Q35.1, Q35.3, Q35.5, and Q35.7.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q35
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Cleft palate
Short Description
Cleft palate
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
Q35-Q37
Cleft lip and cleft palate

Code Classification

ChapterQ00-Q99Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
SectionQ35-Q37Cleft lip and cleft palate
CategoryQ35Cleft palate
This CodeQ35Cleft palate

Specific Coding for Cleft palateOverview

Non-specific codes like Q35 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use Q35.1 for Cleft hard palate

  • Use Q35.3 for Cleft soft palate

  • Use Q35.5 for Cleft hard palate with cleft soft palate

  • Use Q35.7 for Cleft uvula

  • Use Q35.9 for Cleft palate, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Q35: its own notes plus those printed at block Q35-Q37 and Chapter 17. 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.

  • fissure of palate
  • palatoschisis

Excludes1

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

  • cleft palate with cleft lip (Q37.-)

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 Block Q35-Q37 Cleft lip and cleft palate applies to 16 codes
From Chapter 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • inborn errors of metabolism (E70-E88)

Use Additional Code

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

From Block Q35-Q37 Cleft lip and cleft palate applies to 16 codes
  • code to identify associated malformation of the nose (Q30.2)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 17 (Q00-QA1) Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities applies to 900 codes
  • Codes from this chapter are not for use on maternal records

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name Q35, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Q35: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Q18 Other congenital malformations of face and neck
    cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37)
  • Q38.5 Congenital malformations of palate, not elsewhere classified
    cleft palate (Q35.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming Q35: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block Q10-Q18 Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck
    cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Cleft Palate

    congenital fissure of the soft and/or hard palate, due to faulty fusion.

Patient EducationClinical

Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth do not form properly. They happen early during pregnancy. A baby can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.

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 Q35Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cleft palate?

Q35 is the ICD-10-CM category for cleft palate, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Q35 (Cleft palate) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for cleft palate, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for cleft palate need a more specific code from this category, such as Q35.1, Q35.3, and Q35.5.

Can Q35 be reported with a code from Q37?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Q35 lists "cleft palate with cleft lip (Q37.-)". 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).