ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

H71Cholesteatoma of middle ear

Not billable — use a more specific code

H71 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 5 more specific codes beneath it.

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 H71

H71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cholesteatoma of middle ear. It belongs to block H65-H75 (diseases of middle ear and mastoid) and chapter 8 (diseases of the ear and mastoid process). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 5 subcodes must be used instead.

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H71.0 (attic), H71.1 (tympanum), H71.2 (mastoid), H71.3 (cholesteatosis) and H71.9 (cholesteatoma).

The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of H71, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: cholesteatoma of external ear (H60.4-) and recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-).

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

Specific codes under H71

Coding notes

Excludes2Not included here — may be reported together if both conditions exist

cholesteatoma of external ear (H60.4-)
recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to H71.

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 8: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process.

Codes whose notes reference H71

H60.4Excludes2

Code history

2016
2017
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2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about H71

Is H71 billable?: No. H71 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.