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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

M95.12Cauliflower ear, left ear

✓ Billable / specific

M95.12 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for cauliflower ear, left ear. 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 M95.12

M95.12 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Cauliflower ear, left ear. It belongs to category M95 (other acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue), block M95 (other disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue) and chapter 13 (diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within M95.1 (Cauliflower ear), M95.12 is specifically for Cauliflower ear, left ear. Related codes cover unspecified ear (M95.10) and right ear (M95.11).

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 738.7 (Cauliflower ear).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to M95.12.

› From M95.1 Cauliflower ear
Excludes2
  • other acquired deformities of ear (H61.1)
› From M95 Other acquired deformities of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Excludes2
  • acquired absence of limbs and organs (Z89-Z90)
  • acquired deformities of limbs (M20-M21)
  • congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79)
  • deforming dorsopathies (M40-M43)
  • dentofacial anomalies [including malocclusion] (M26.-)
  • postprocedural musculoskeletal disorders (M96.-)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 13: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

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 →
  • 738.7Cauliflower earapproximate

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 M95.12

Is M95.12 billable?

Yes. M95.12 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can M95.12 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M95.12 as a principal diagnosis.

Is M95.12 a CC or MCC?

No. M95.12 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does M95.12 group to?

M95.12 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 M95.12?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map M95.12 to ICD-9-CM 738.7.