ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for cholesteatoma
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Cholesteatoma (ear) (middle) (with reaction)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding cholesteatoma
The ICD-10-CM code for cholesteatoma is H71.9 (Unspecified cholesteatoma). The official index lists 4 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on H71.9.
Within H71, choose H71.9 (Unspecified cholesteatoma) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: cholesteatoma of attic (H71.0), cholesteatoma of tympanum (H71.1), cholesteatoma of mastoid (H71.2) and diffuse cholesteatosis (H71.3).
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H71.90 (unspecified ear), H71.91 (right ear), H71.92 (left ear) and H71.93 (bilateral).
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
More specific cholesteatoma codes (official index)
Common questions about cholesteatoma ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for cholesteatoma?
- H71.9 — Unspecified cholesteatoma (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: H71.0, H60.4, H71.2, H71.1.
What is the ICD-10 code for attic cholesteatoma?
- H71.0 — Cholesteatoma of attic (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for external ear cholesteatoma?
- H60.4 — Cholesteatoma of external ear (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for mastoid cholesteatoma?
- H71.2 — Cholesteatoma of mastoid (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for tympanum cholesteatoma?
- H71.1 — Cholesteatoma of tympanum (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is H71.9 billable?
- No. H71.9 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.