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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

T16.9XXAForeign body in ear, unspecified ear, initial encounter

✓ Billable / specificRequires 7th character

T16.9XXA is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for foreign body in ear, unspecified ear, initial encounter. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About T16.9XXA

T16.9XXA is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for foreign body in ear, unspecified ear, initial encounter. It belongs to category T16 (foreign body in ear), block T15-T19 (effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice) and chapter 19 (injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

The 7th character "A" means initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 154 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC, relative weight 1.5921), DRG 155 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC, relative weight 0.9322) and DRG 156 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6659), in MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 931 (foreign body in ear) and E915 (foreign body accidentally entering other orifice).

7th character

Ainitial encounter

Other encounter types for T16.9:

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to T16.9XXA.

› From T16 Foreign body in ear
Includes
  • foreign body in auditory canal

Broader instructions also apply from T15-T19 Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice and Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 931Foreign body in earapproximate, combination
  • E915Foreign body accidentally entering other orificeapproximate, combination

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about T16.9XXA

Is T16.9XXA billable?

Yes. T16.9XXA is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

What does the "A" at the end of T16.9XXA mean?

It is the 7th character for initial encounter. Per the official guidelines, use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for the condition.

Can T16.9XXA be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict T16.9XXA as a principal diagnosis.

Is T16.9XXA a CC or MCC?

No. T16.9XXA is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does T16.9XXA group to?

T16.9XXA is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 154 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC), MS-DRG 155 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC) and MS-DRG 156 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for T16.9XXA?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map T16.9XXA to ICD-9-CM 931 and E915.