Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
ICD-10-CM Q16 is the diagnosis code for Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing. 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 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.
The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as Q16. They are mutually exclusive:
Understanding where Q16 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:
No, Q16 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.
Q16 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.
Q16 is located in Section Q10-Q18 — "Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck" within Chapter 17 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Q16 has 7 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: Q16.0, Q16.1, Q16.2, Q16.3, Q16.4 and more.
Use Q16 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing" 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 malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing is Q16.
No, Q16 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.
Q16 is in Chapter 17 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Type 1 Excludes for Q16 include: congenital deafness (H90.-).
Yes, Q16 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.