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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

H72.03Central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral

✓ Billable / specific

H72.03 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral. 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 H72.03

H72.03 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral. It belongs to category H72 (perforation of tympanic membrane), block H65-H75 (diseases of middle ear and mastoid) and chapter 8 (diseases of the ear and mastoid process). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within H72.0 (central perforation of tympanic membrane), H72.03 is specifically for central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral. Related codes cover unspecified ear (H72.00), right ear (H72.01) and left ear (H72.02).

Code first: any associated otitis media (H65.-, H66.1-, H66.2-, H66.3-, H66.4-, H66.9-, H67.-).

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 384.21 (central perforation of tympanic membrane).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to H72.03.

› From H72 Perforation of tympanic membrane
Includes
  • persistent post-traumatic perforation of ear drum
  • postinflammatory perforation of ear drum
Excludes1
  • acute suppurative otitis media with rupture of the tympanic membrane (H66.01-)
  • traumatic rupture of ear drum (S09.2-)
Code first

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

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 →
  • 384.21Central perforation of tympanic membraneapproximate

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 H72.03

Is H72.03 billable?

Yes. H72.03 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can H72.03 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict H72.03 as a principal diagnosis.

Is H72.03 a CC or MCC?

No. H72.03 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does H72.03 group to?

H72.03 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 H72.03?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map H72.03 to ICD-9-CM 384.21.