Cholesteatoma of middle ear (H71) ICD-10-CM
The H71 code range covers cholesteatoma of middle ear with 26 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 20 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Codes in the H71 Range 26 codes · 20 billable
- H71 Cholesteatoma of middle earNon-billable
- H71.0 Cholesteatoma of atticNon-billable
- H71.00 Cholesteatoma of attic, unspecified ear
- H71.01 Cholesteatoma of attic, right ear
- H71.02 Cholesteatoma of attic, left ear
- H71.03 Cholesteatoma of attic, bilateral
- H71.1 Cholesteatoma of tympanumNon-billable
- H71.10 Cholesteatoma of tympanum, unspecified ear
- H71.11 Cholesteatoma of tympanum, right ear
- H71.12 Cholesteatoma of tympanum, left ear
- H71.13 Cholesteatoma of tympanum, bilateral
- H71.2 Cholesteatoma of mastoidNon-billable
- H71.20 Cholesteatoma of mastoid, unspecified ear
- H71.21 Cholesteatoma of mastoid, right ear
- H71.22 Cholesteatoma of mastoid, left ear
- H71.23 Cholesteatoma of mastoid, bilateral
- H71.3 Diffuse cholesteatosisNon-billable
- H71.30 Diffuse cholesteatosis, unspecified ear
- H71.31 Diffuse cholesteatosis, right ear
- H71.32 Diffuse cholesteatosis, left ear
- H71.33 Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateral
- H71.9 Unspecified cholesteatomaNon-billable
- H71.90 Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified ear
- H71.91 Unspecified cholesteatoma, right ear
- H71.92 Unspecified cholesteatoma, left ear
- H71.93 Unspecified cholesteatoma, bilateral
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the H71 range.
Cholesteatoma
A non-neoplastic mass of keratin-producing squamous EPITHELIUM, frequently occurring in the MENINGES; bones of the skull, and most commonly in the MIDDLE EAR and MASTOID region. Cholesteatoma can be congenital or acquired. Cholesteatoma is not a tumor nor is it associated with high CHOLESTEROL.
Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear
A mass of KERATIN-producing squamous EPITHELIUM that resembles an inverted (suck-in) bag of skin in the MIDDLE EAR. It arises from the eardrum (TYMPANIC MEMBRANE) and grows into the MIDDLE EAR causing erosion of EAR OSSICLES and MASTOID that contains the INNER EAR.
About the H71 Code Range
The ICD-10 code H71 and its subcodes are specifically used to classify and document various forms of cholesteatoma affecting the middle ear. These codes cover different locations and laterality, including the attic, tympanum, and mastoid, with options for specifying right, left, bilateral, or unspecified ear involvement.
Cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can cause damage and hearing loss. The ICD-10 codes detail distinctions such as H71.0 for cholesteatoma of the attic, H71.1 for the tympanum, and H71.2 for the mastoid process. For example, common synonyms like “cholesteatoma of attic” or “cholesteatoma tympanum” are linked with these codes to clarify documentation choices. Additionally, codes like H71.30 designate diffuse cholesteatosis, a related condition often referred to as cholesterolosis of the middle ear. The use of these detailed ICD-10 codes ensures accurate identification of the disease's precise location and extent, supporting proper diagnosis, treatment, and billing for cholesteatoma conditions.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the H71 range?
Of the 26 codes in this range, 20 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the H71 range classify?
The range classifies cholesteatoma of middle ear. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
