2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q36Cleft lip

ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q35-Q37›Q36

ICD-10-CM Q36
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

Q36 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for cleft lip, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as Q36.0, Q36.1, and Q36.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Q36
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Cleft lip
Short Description
Cleft lip
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
CategoryQ36Cleft lip
This CodeQ36Cleft lip

Specific Coding for Cleft lipOverview

Non-specific codes like Q36 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use Q36.0 for Cleft lip, bilateral

  • Use Q36.1 for Cleft lip, median

  • Use Q36.9 for Cleft lip, unilateral

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to Q36: 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.

  • cheiloschisis
  • congenital fissure of lip
  • harelip
  • labium leporinum

Excludes1

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

  • cleft lip with cleft palate (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 Q36, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming Q36: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Q38.0 Congenital malformations of lips, not elsewhere classified
    cleft lip (Q36.-)
  • Q18 Other congenital malformations of face and neck
    cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37) names Q35-Q37, which includes this code

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming Q36: 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) names Q35-Q37, which includes this code

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Cleft Lip

    congenital defect in the upper lip where the maxillary prominence fails to merge with the merged medial nasal prominences. it is thought to be caused by faulty migration of the mesoderm in the head region.

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 Q36Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cleft lip?

Q36 is the ICD-10-CM category for cleft lip, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is Q36 (Cleft lip) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for cleft lip, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for cleft lip need a more specific code from this category, such as Q36.0, Q36.1, and Q36.9.

Can Q36 be reported with a code from Q37?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on Q36 lists "cleft lip with cleft palate (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).