H71
Non-Billable

Cholesteatoma of middle ear

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Cholesteatoma of middle ear?

ICD-10-CM H71 is the diagnosis code for Cholesteatoma of middle ear. This code falls under the section "Diseases of middle ear and mastoid" within Chapter 8 — Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95). 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.

â„šī¸ Excludes2

Coding Guidelines for H71

â„šī¸ Type 2 Excludes (Code separately if applicable)

The following conditions are not included in H71. If the patient has both, code each condition separately:

  • cholesteatoma of external ear (H60.4-)
  • recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H71 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 5 entries
H71.0Cholesteatoma of atticNon-BillableH71.00Cholesteatoma of attic, unspecified earBillableH71.01Cholesteatoma of attic, right earBillableH71.02Cholesteatoma of attic, left earBillableH71.03Cholesteatoma of attic, bilateralBillableH71.1Cholesteatoma of tympanumNon-BillableH71.10Cholesteatoma of tympanum, unspecified earBillableH71.11Cholesteatoma of tympanum, right earBillableH71.12Cholesteatoma of tympanum, left earBillableH71.13Cholesteatoma of tympanum, bilateralBillableH71.2Cholesteatoma of mastoidNon-BillableH71.20Cholesteatoma of mastoid, unspecified earBillableH71.21Cholesteatoma of mastoid, right earBillableH71.22Cholesteatoma of mastoid, left earBillableH71.23Cholesteatoma of mastoid, bilateralBillableH71.3Diffuse cholesteatosisNon-BillableH71.30Diffuse cholesteatosis, unspecified earBillableH71.31Diffuse cholesteatosis, right earBillableH71.32Diffuse cholesteatosis, left earBillableH71.33Diffuse cholesteatosis, bilateralBillableH71.9Unspecified cholesteatomaNon-BillableH71.90Unspecified cholesteatoma, unspecified earBillableH71.91Unspecified cholesteatoma, right earBillableH71.92Unspecified cholesteatoma, left earBillableH71.93Unspecified cholesteatoma, bilateralBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H71 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H71 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H71 mean?

H71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Cholesteatoma of middle ear". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is H71 in?

H71 is located in Section H65-H75 — "Diseases of middle ear and mastoid" within Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of H71?

H71 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H71.0, H71.1, H71.2, H71.3, H71.9.

When should I use H71?

Use H71 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Cholesteatoma of middle ear" 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 Cholesteatoma of middle ear?

The ICD-10-CM code for Cholesteatoma of middle ear is H71.

Can H71 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H71 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H71 in?

H71 is in Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is H71 valid for 2026?

Yes, H71 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH70.93Unspecified mastoiditis, bilateralNext →H71.0Cholesteatoma of attic
Code Details
H71
Cholesteatoma of middle ear
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
8 — Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
H65-H75 — Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
2026 ICD-10-CM