2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T16Foreign body in ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T15-T19›T16

ICD-10-CM T16
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T16 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for foreign body in ear, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T16.1XXA, T16.1XXD, T16.1XXS, and T16.2XXA.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T16
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Foreign body in ear
Short Description
Foreign body in ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
T15-T19
Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT15-T19Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
CategoryT16Foreign body in ear
This CodeT16Foreign body in ear

Specific Coding for Foreign body in earOverview

Non-specific codes like T16 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • T16.1 for Foreign body in right ear

  • T16.2 for Foreign body in left ear

  • T16.9 for Foreign body in ear, unspecified ear

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Foreign body in ear (T16). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to T16: its own notes plus those printed at block T15-T19 and Chapter 19. 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.

  • foreign body in auditory canal

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 T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • foreign body accidentally left in operation wound (T81.5-)
  • foreign body in penetrating wound - See open wound by body region
  • residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)
  • splinter, without open wound - See superficial injury by body region
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Use Additional Code

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

From Block T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice applies to 261 codes
  • code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T16
Values for category T16 Encounter: Initial, Subsequent, Sequela
  • Ainitial encounter
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T16, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming T16: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block S00-S09 Injuries to the head
    effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
  • Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
    foreign body in ear (T16)

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Patient EducationClinical

Foreign Bodies

If you've ever gotten a splinter or had sand in your eye, you've had experience with a foreign body. A foreign body is something that is stuck inside you but isn't supposed to be there. You may inhale or swallow a foreign body, or you may get one from an injury to almost any part of your body.

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 T16Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for foreign body in ear?

T16 is the ICD-10-CM category for foreign body in ear, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is T16 (Foreign body in ear) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for foreign body in ear, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for foreign body in ear need a more specific code from this category, such as T16.1XXA, T16.1XXD, and T16.1XXS.