ICD-10 code for palate cleft

The ICD-10-CM code for palate cleft is Q35.9 (Cleft palate, unspecified). The official index lists 15 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on Q35.9.

Within Q35, choose Q35.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: hard palate (Q35.1), soft palate (Q35.3), hard palate with cleft soft palate (Q35.5) and uvula (Q35.7).

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 011 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC, relative weight 5.6154), DRG 012 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC, relative weight 4.381), DRG 013 (Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC, relative weight 2.7307), DRG 157 (Dental and Oral Diseases with MCC, relative weight 1.809), DRG 158 (Dental and Oral Diseases with CC, relative weight 0.9366) and DRG 159 (Dental and Oral Diseases without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6893), in Pre-MDC and 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.