ICD-10-CM T16 is the diagnosis code for Foreign body in ear. This code falls under the section "Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). 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.
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.
Understanding where T16 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, T16 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
T16 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Foreign body in ear". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
T16 is located in Section T15-T19 — "Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
T16 has 3 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: T16.1, T16.2, T16.9.
Use T16 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Foreign body in ear" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.
The ICD-10-CM code for Foreign body in ear is T16.
No, T16 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
T16 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, T16 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.