ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for ear malformation
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Malformation (congenital) › ear”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding ear malformation
The ICD-10-CM code for ear malformation is Q17.9 (Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified). The official index lists 18 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on Q17.9.
Within Q17, choose Q17.9 (Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: accessory auricle (Q17.0), Macrotia (Q17.1), Microtia (Q17.2), other misshapen ear (Q17.3), Misplaced ear (Q17.4), prominent ear (Q17.5) and other specified congenital malformations of ear (Q17.8).
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.
More specific ear malformation codes (official index)
- causing impairment of hearing Q16.9 — Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecified
- external Q17.9 — Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified
- accessory auricle Q17.0 — Accessory auricle
- causing impairment of hearing Q16.9 — Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecified
- absence of
- auditory canal Q16.1 — Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external)
- auricle Q16.0 — Congenital absence of (ear) auricle
- macrotia Q17.1 — Macrotia
- microtia Q17.2 — Microtia
- misplacement Q17.4 — Misplaced ear
- misshapen NEC Q17.3 — Other misshapen ear
- prominence Q17.5 — Prominent ear
- specified type NEC Q17.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of ear
- inner Q16.5 — Congenital malformation of inner ear
- middle Q16.4 — Other congenital malformations of middle ear
- absence of eustachian tube Q16.2 — Absence of eustachian tube
- ossicles (fusion) Q16.3 — Congenital malformation of ear ossicles
- ossicles Q16.3 — Congenital malformation of ear ossicles
- specified type NEC Q17.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of ear
Common questions about ear malformation ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for ear malformation?
- Q17.9 — Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: Q16.9, Q17.9, Q17.0, Q16.9 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for causing impairment of hearing ear malformation?
- Q16.9 — Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for external ear malformation?
- Q17.9 — Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for inner ear malformation?
- Q16.5 — Congenital malformation of inner ear.
What is the ICD-10 code for middle ear malformation?
- Q16.4 — Other congenital malformations of middle ear.
What is the ICD-10 code for ossicles ear malformation?
- Q16.3 — Congenital malformation of ear ossicles.
Is Q17.9 billable?
- Yes. Q17.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can Q17.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict Q17.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is Q17.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. Q17.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.