Cleft lip (Q36) ICD-10-CM
The Q36 code range covers cleft lip with 4 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 3 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- cheiloschisis
- congenital fissure of lip
- harelip
- labium leporinum
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- cleft lip with cleft palate Q37
Codes in the Q36 Range 4 codes · 3 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the Q36 range.
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.
About the Q36 Code Range
The ICD-10 code Q36 identifies different types of cleft lip, a congenital condition where there is a split in the upper lip. This section covers various forms of cleft lip, including bilateral (Q36.0), median (Q36.1), and unilateral (Q36.9) presentations.
The ICD-10 code for cleft lip helps medical coders and healthcare professionals accurately classify specific lip clefts, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. The bilateral cleft lip (Q36.0) refers to clefts affecting both sides of the lip and can be complete or incomplete, sometimes involving the alveolar process of the maxilla. The term “bilateral cleft lip” or descriptive phrases like “complete left cleft lip and incomplete right cleft lip” are all captured under this code. The median cleft lip (Q36.1) describes a rare midline deformity, also known as “central cleft lip” or associated with conditions like Pai syndrome and frontonasal dysplasia. Meanwhile, the unilateral cleft lip (Q36.9) involves a cleft on one side, with synonyms including “right cleft lip,” “left cleft lip,” or “cleft lip and cleft of alveolar process,” covering both complete and incomplete variations. Using these codes correctly ensures clear communication about the specific type of cleft lip being treated or studied.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the Q36 range?
Of the 4 codes in this range, 3 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 Q36 range classify?
The range classifies cleft lip. 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.
