M95.10 — Cauliflower ear, unspecified ear
Is M95.10 billable?
Yes, but M95.10 is an unspecified code. M95.10 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, M95.10 is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting M95.10 — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
More specific alternatives
M95.10 at a glance
| Code | M95.10 |
|---|---|
| Description | Cauliflower ear, unspecified ear |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
Which MS-DRGs does M95.10 group to?
M95.10 sits in MDC 03 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
How is M95.10 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under M95.1, the nearest indexed parent of M95.10. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Cauliflower ear
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 13
The conditions below are not part of M95.10, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M95.10 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- arthropathic psoriasis (L40.5-)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- compartment syndrome (traumatic) (T79.A-)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from M95
The conditions below are not part of M95.10, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M95.10 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- acquired absence of limbs and organs (Z89-Z90)
- acquired deformities of limbs (M20-M21)
- congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79)
- deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43)
- dentofacial anomalies [including malocclusion] (M26.-)
- postprocedural musculoskeletal disorders (M96.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from M95.1
The conditions below are not part of M95.10, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, M95.10 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- other acquired deformities of ear (H61.1)
How long has M95.10 existed?
M95.10 has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.