2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T16.2XXAForeign body in left ear, initial encounter
T16.2XXA is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for foreign body in left ear, initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Effect of foreign body entering opening, initial encounter; External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional; and External cause codes: other specified, classifiable and NEC; initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Foreign body in auditory canal
- Foreign body in auricle
- Foreign body in left auditory canal
- Foreign body in left auricle
- Foreign body in left ear
- Foreign body in left external ear
- Foreign body in middle ear
- Foreign body in right ear
- Retained foreign body of bilateral middle ears
- Retained foreign body of left middle ear
- Retained foreign body of middle ear
- Retained foreign body of right middle 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 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert T16.2XXA to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T16.2XXAOverview
Is T16.2XXA (Foreign body in left ear) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report foreign body in left ear, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T16.2XXA mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for foreign body in left ear, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T16.2XXA group to?
When foreign body in left ear, initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T16.2XXA?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, foreign body in left ear, initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 931 (foreign body in ear) and E915 (FB entering oth orifice). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
