Q17.9 is the authoritative medical code for Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for congenital malformation of ear, unspecified (ICD-10-CM Q17.9), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with 2026 federal coding standards.
Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.
Official Registry Overview & Definition
Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code Q17.9. Inclusion terms: Congenital anomaly of ear NOS. Excludes1 (not coded here): congenital malformations of ear with impairment of hearing Q16.0-Q16.9; preauricular sinus Q18.1. Excludes2 (not included here): cleft lip and cleft palate Q35-Q37; congenital malformation of cervical spine (Q05.0, Q05.5, Q67.5, Q76.0-Q76.4); congenital malformation of larynx Q31.-; congenital malformation of lip NEC Q38.0; congenital malformation of nose Q30.-; congenital malformation of parathyroid gland Q89.2; congenital malformation of thyroid gland Q89.2.
Official Tabular Instructional Notes
Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for Q17.9 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.
Inclusion Terms
Alternative terms the tabular list files under this code.
- Congenital anomaly of ear NOS
Excludes1 — Not Coded Here
Conditions that can never be reported with this code; the two are mutually exclusive.
- congenital malformations of ear with impairment of hearing Q16.0-Q16.9
- preauricular sinus Q18.1
Excludes2 — Not Included Here
Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.
- cleft lip and cleft palate Q35-Q37
- congenital malformation of cervical spine (Q05.0, Q05.5, Q67.5, Q76.0-Q76.4)
- congenital malformation of larynx Q31.-
- congenital malformation of lip NEC Q38.0
- congenital malformation of nose Q30.-
- congenital malformation of parathyroid gland Q89.2
- congenital malformation of thyroid gland Q89.2
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance
What can't be coded together with Q17.9?
Per Excludes1 instructions, Q17.9 must not be reported with: congenital malformations of ear with impairment of hearing (Q16.0-Q16.9); preauricular sinus (Q18.1).
Can Q17.9 be reported alongside related conditions?
Per Excludes2 instructions, Q17.9 and the following may both be reported when both are present: cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37); congenital malformation of cervical spine (Q05.0, Q05.5, Q67.5, Q76.0-Q76.4); congenital malformation of larynx (Q31.-); congenital malformation of lip NEC (Q38.0).
What conditions are included under Q17.9?
Congenital malformation of ear, unspecified includes: Congenital anomaly of ear NOS.
Codes in This Family (8)
Official ICD-10-CM classifications in the same code family as Q17.9, with their registry titles.
- Q17 — Other congenital malformations of ear
- Q17.0 — Accessory auricle
- Q17.1 — Macrotia
- Q17.2 — Microtia
- Q17.3 — Other misshapen ear
- Q17.4 — Misplaced ear
- Q17.5 — Prominent ear
- Q17.8 — Other specified congenital malformations of ear
Indexed Clinical Terms (6)
Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code.
- Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type), ear (external)
- Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type), tragus
- Deformity, ear (acquired), congenital (external)
- Deformity, pinna, acquired, congenital
- Malformation (congenital), ear
- Malformation (congenital), ear, external
Related Codes & Numerical Sequence (Crawl Map)
Search engines and indexers are advised to traverse adjacent medical codes in this sub-chapter range to find correlated diagnoses or therapeutic procedures:
ICD Code Q13.9
Congenital malformation of anterior segment of eye, unspecified
ICD Code Q14.9
Congenital malformation of posterior segment of eye, unspecified
ICD Code Q16.9
Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecified
ICD Code Q20.9
Congenital malformation of cardiac chambers and connections, unspecified
ICD Code Q22.9
Congenital malformation of tricuspid valve, unspecified