Billable / Specific Code
ICD-10-CM Q16.1 is the diagnosis code for Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external). This code falls under the section "Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck" within Chapter 17 — Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-QA0). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.
Understanding where Q16.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
Yes, Q16.1 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
Q16.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external)". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
The parent code of Q16.1 is Q16 ("Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing"). Q16.1 provides a more specific classification within this category.
Q16.1 is located in Section Q10-Q18 — "Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck" within Chapter 17 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Use Q16.1 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external)" 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 Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external) is Q16.1.
Yes, Q16.1 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.
Q16.1 is in Chapter 17 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Yes, Q16.1 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.