H72
Non-Billable

Perforation of tympanic membrane

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Perforation of tympanic membrane?

ICD-10-CM H72 is the diagnosis code for Perforation of tympanic membrane. 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.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for H72

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as H72. They are mutually exclusive:

  • acute suppurative otitis media with rupture of the tympanic membrane (H66.01-)
  • traumatic rupture of ear drum (S09.2-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H72 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeH72 — Perforation of tympanic membrane
Sub-Codes 5 entries
H72.0Central perforation of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.00Central perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.01Central perforation of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.02Central perforation of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.03Central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillableH72.1Attic perforation of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.10Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.11Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.12Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.13Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillableH72.2Other marginal perforations of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.2XOther marginal perforations of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.2X1Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.2X2Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.2X3Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillableH72.2X9Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.8Other perforations of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.81Multiple perforations of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.811Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.812Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.813Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillableH72.819Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.82Total perforations of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.821Total perforations of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.822Total perforations of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.823Total perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillableH72.829Total perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.9Unspecified perforation of tympanic membraneNon-BillableH72.90Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified earBillableH72.91Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, right earBillableH72.92Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, left earBillableH72.93Unspecified perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateralBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H72 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H72 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H72 mean?

H72 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Perforation of tympanic membrane". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is H72 in?

H72 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 H72?

H72 has 5 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H72.0, H72.1, H72.2, H72.8, H72.9.

When should I use H72?

Use H72 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Perforation of tympanic membrane" 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 Perforation of tympanic membrane?

The ICD-10-CM code for Perforation of tympanic membrane is H72.

Can H72 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H72 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H72 in?

H72 is in Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from H72?

Type 1 Excludes for H72 include: acute suppurative otitis media with rupture of the tympanic membrane (H66.01-); traumatic rupture of ear drum (S09.2-).

Is H72 valid for 2026?

Yes, H72 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH71.93Unspecified cholesteatoma, bilateralNext →H72.0Central perforation of tympanic membrane
Code Details
H72
Perforation of tympanic membrane
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