ICD-10 Code for Cholesteatoma

Also indexed as (ear) (middle) (with reaction)

The ICD-10-CM code for cholesteatoma is H71.9 — Unspecified cholesteatoma. This is the code the Alphabetic Index gives for cholesteatoma with no further qualifier, valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Not billable

H71.9 cannot be submitted on a claim. It is a header code, so a more specific code from the list below is required.

Which cholesteatoma code should you use?

The Alphabetic Index lists 5 codes under Cholesteatoma. Which one applies depends on the qualifier documented in the record — the type, site, cause, or associated condition. Find the qualifier below, then verify the code in the Tabular List before using it.

By type

atticH71.0Not billableCholesteatoma of attic
external earH60.4Not billableCholesteatoma of external ear
mastoidH71.2Not billableCholesteatoma of mastoid
tympanumH71.1Not billableCholesteatoma of tympanum

Codes under H71.9

Index terms and codes are reproduced from the official ICD-10-CM FY2027 release. The Alphabetic Index is a finding aid — a code must always be verified in the Tabular List before it is reported. Data sources