S00.42 — Blister (nonthermal) of ear
Is S00.42 billable?
No — S00.42 is a non-billable header code. S00.42 groups more specific codes and cannot be submitted on a claim. A valid ICD-10-CM code must be reported at the highest level of specificity available in its branch. Select one of the 9 billable codes beneath S00.42.
Billable codes under this header
- S00.421ABlister (nonthermal) of right ear, initial encounter
- S00.421DBlister (nonthermal) of right ear, subsequent encounter
- S00.421SBlister (nonthermal) of right ear, sequela
- S00.422ABlister (nonthermal) of left ear, initial encounter
- S00.422DBlister (nonthermal) of left ear, subsequent encounter
- S00.422SBlister (nonthermal) of left ear, sequela
- S00.429ABlister (nonthermal) of unspecified ear, initial encounter
- S00.429DBlister (nonthermal) of unspecified ear, subsequent encounter
- S00.429SBlister (nonthermal) of unspecified ear, sequela
S00.42 at a glance
| Code | S00.42 |
|---|---|
| Description | Blister (nonthermal) of ear |
| Billable | No — header code |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
How is S00.42 listed in the Alphabetic Index?
These are the routes through the Alphabetic Index that lead to S00.42. They show the wording a clinician may have documented, which often differs from the Tabular description.
- Blister › ear (nonthermal)
Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from S00
The conditions below can never be reported together with S00.42 on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S00.42 to fully describe the condition. S00.42 is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of S00.42, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S00.42 and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S00-S09
The conditions below are not part of S00.42, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S00.42 and the excluded code may both be reported.
- burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
- effects of foreign body in ear (T16)
- effects of foreign body in larynx (T17.3)
- effects of foreign body in mouth NOS (T18.0)
- effects of foreign body in nose (T17.0-T17.1)
- effects of foreign body in pharynx (T17.2)
- effects of foreign body on external eye (T15.-)
- frostbite (T33-T34)
- insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)
Code also — inherited from S00-S09
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S00.42 is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- for any associated infection
What codes fall under S00.42? (3)
How long has S00.42 existed?
S00.42 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.
What other codes are in the S00.4 family? (7)
- S00.40Unspecified superficial injury of earnot billable
- S00.41Abrasion of earnot billable
- S00.43Contusion of earnot billable
- S00.44External constriction of earnot billable
- S00.45Superficial foreign body of earnot billable
- S00.46Insect bite (nonvenomous) of earnot billable
- S00.47Other superficial bite of earnot billable