2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Q38.4Congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts
ICD-10-CM Codes›Q00-Q99›Q38-Q45›Q38
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- POA Exempt
- Chronic Condition
Q38.4 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 11 through 13, 154 through 156. The code is exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Digestive congenital anomalies.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
Q38.4 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review the other POA exempt codes in Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45).
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Accessory parotid gland
- Accessory salivary duct
- Accessory salivary gland
- Accessory salivary gland or duct
- Aplasia of lacrimal and salivary gland
- Aplasia of parotid gland
- Atresia of salivary duct
- Congenital abnormality of salivary duct
- Congenital absence of salivary gland
- Congenital anomaly of lacrimal gland
- Congenital anomaly of salivary gland
- Congenital anomaly of tongue, salivary gland AND/OR pharynx
- Congenital aplasia of lacrimal structure
- Congenital malformation of salivary glands and ducts
- Congenital ranula
- Congenital salivary gland fistula
- Displacement of Wharton's duct
- Ectopic parotid gland tissue
- Fistula of salivary gland
- Oral fistula
- Ranula
- Salivary gland heterotopia
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Atresia of salivary glands and ducts
- Congenital absence of salivary glands and ducts
- Congenital accessory salivary glands and ducts
- Congenital fistula of salivary gland
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
parotid gland (and duct) Q38.4
salivary gland Q38.4
submaxillary gland Q38.4
parotid gland (s) Q38.4
salivary gland Q38.4
Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type) Q89.9
Bartholin's duct Q38.4
parotid (gland) Q38.4
salivary duct or gland Q38.4
stenonian duct Q38.4
submaxillary gland Q38.4
parotid duct Q38.4
salivary duct Q38.4
sublingual duct Q38.4
submandibular duct Q38.4
submaxillary duct Q38.4
sublingual duct Q38.4
Duplication, duplex See Also: Accessory;
salivary duct Q38.4
congenital Q38.4
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Ranula
a form of retention cyst of the floor of the mouth, usually due to obstruction of the ducts of the submaxillary or sublingual glands, presenting a slowly enlarging painless deep burrowing mucocele of one side of the mouth. it is also called sublingual cyst and sublingual ptyalocele.Oral Fistula
an abnormal passage within the mouth communicating between two or more anatomical structures.
Patient EducationClinical
Birth Defects
A birth defect is a problem that happens while a baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects happen during the first 3 months of pregnancy. One out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.
The full article covers:
- What are birth defects?
- What causes birth defects?
- Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?
- How are birth defects diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for birth defects?
- Can birth defects be prevented?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert Q38.4 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About Q38.4Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts?
The ICD-10-CM code for congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts is Q38.4 (sometimes written as Q384). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is Q38.4 (Other congenital malformations of tongue, mouth and pharynx) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does Q38.4 group to?
When congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 11, 12, 13, 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 5.4541 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is Q38.4 exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts on inpatient claims. The code appears in the Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45) range of the CMS exempt list.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Q38.4?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, congenital malformations of salivary glands and ducts converts to ICD-9-CM 750.21 (salivary gland absence), 750.22 (accessory salivary gland), and 750.23 (cong atresia, saliv duct). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
