H16.0
Non-Billable

Corneal ulcer

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Corneal ulcer?

ICD-10-CM H16.0 is the diagnosis code for Corneal ulcer. This code falls under the section "Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body" within Chapter 7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

Coding Guidelines for H16.0

Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H16.0 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 8 entries
H16.00Unspecified corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.001Unspecified corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.002Unspecified corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.003Unspecified corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.009Unspecified corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.01Central corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.011Central corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.012Central corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.013Central corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.019Central corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.02Ring corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.021Ring corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.022Ring corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.023Ring corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.029Ring corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.03Corneal ulcer with hypopyonNon-BillableH16.031Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, right eyeBillableH16.032Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, left eyeBillableH16.033Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, bilateralBillableH16.039Corneal ulcer with hypopyon, unspecified eyeBillableH16.04Marginal corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.041Marginal corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.042Marginal corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.043Marginal corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.049Marginal corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.05Mooren's corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.051Mooren's corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.052Mooren's corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.053Mooren's corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.059Mooren's corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.06Mycotic corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.061Mycotic corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.062Mycotic corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.063Mycotic corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.069Mycotic corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillableH16.07Perforated corneal ulcerNon-BillableH16.071Perforated corneal ulcer, right eyeBillableH16.072Perforated corneal ulcer, left eyeBillableH16.073Perforated corneal ulcer, bilateralBillableH16.079Perforated corneal ulcer, unspecified eyeBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H16.0 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H16.0 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H16.0 mean?

H16.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Corneal ulcer". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of H16.0?

The parent code of H16.0 is H16 ("Keratitis"). H16.0 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is H16.0 in?

H16.0 is located in Section H15-H22 — "Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body" within Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of H16.0?

H16.0 has 8 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H16.00, H16.01, H16.02, H16.03, H16.04 and more.

When should I use H16.0?

Use H16.0 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Corneal ulcer" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Corneal ulcer?

The ICD-10-CM code for Corneal ulcer is H16.0.

Can H16.0 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H16.0 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H16.0 in?

H16.0 is in Chapter 7 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is H16.0 valid for 2026?

Yes, H16.0 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH16KeratitisNext →H16.00Unspecified corneal ulcer
Code Details
H16.0
Corneal ulcer
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
7 — Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
H15-H22 — Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
2026 ICD-10-CM