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T16.1XXA ICD-10-CM Code: Foreign body in right ear, initial encounter

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v43.0, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 154 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 155 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 03)
  • MS-DRG 156 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Foreign body in right ear, initial encounter is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (T16.1A).

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for T16.1XXA in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • foreign body in auditory canal

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code, if known, for foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice (W44.-)

Frequently Compared Codes

The official Excludes notes on T16.1XXA name these codes. Each comparison page covers when the two can — or must not — be reported together.

Change history

No changes recorded for this code — unchanged since the FY2016 baseline of the change ledger.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim.

Relationships & Classification

Potential MS-DRG Relationships (FY2026)

Not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 154 (MDC 03), DRG 155 (MDC 03), DRG 156 (MDC 03).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):INJ020 — Effect of foreign body entering opening, initial encounter (default); EXT018 — External cause codes: other specified, classifiable and NEC; initial encounter; EXT020 — External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Contextual Map

Every relationship of T16.1XXA in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Hierarchy

  • S00-T88 — Chapter 19: Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88) (S00-T88) [Hierarchy]
  • T15-T19 — Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice [Hierarchy]

Clinical classification (CCSR)

  • INJ020 — Effect of foreign body entering opening, initial encounter [CCSR]
  • EXT018 — External cause codes: other specified, classifiable and NEC; initial encounter [CCSR]
  • EXT020 — External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional [CCSR]

Potential MS-DRG

  • DRG 154 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC [MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 03)”
  • DRG 155 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC [MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 03)”
  • DRG 156 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC [MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)”

MDC crossing · procedures (5147)

  • MDC 03 — Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat [MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs.”
  • 008F0ZZ — Division of Olfactory Nerve, Open Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Division of Olfactory Nerve, Open Approach — grouped in MDC 03, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 008F3ZZ — Division of Olfactory Nerve, Percutaneous Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Division of Olfactory Nerve, Percutaneous Approach — grouped in MDC 03, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 008F4ZZ — Division of Olfactory Nerve, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Division of Olfactory Nerve, Percutaneous Endoscopic Approach — grouped in MDC 03, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 008G0ZZ — Division of Optic Nerve, Open Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Division of Optic Nerve, Open Approach — grouped in MDC 03, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • 008G3ZZ — Division of Optic Nerve, Percutaneous Approach [Same-MDC procedure]: “Division of Optic Nerve, Percutaneous Approach — grouped in MDC 03, the procedure side of this code's crossing.” · check together
  • and 5142 more

Nearest codes (12)

  • T16 — Foreign body in ear [Sibling]
  • T16.1 — Foreign body in right ear [Sibling]
  • T16.1XXD — Foreign body in right ear, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • T16.1XXS — Foreign body in right ear, sequela [Sibling]
  • T16.2 — Foreign body in left ear [Sibling]
  • T16.2XXA — Foreign body in left ear, initial encounter [Sibling]
  • T16.2XXD — Foreign body in left ear, subsequent encounter [Sibling]
  • T16.2XXS — Foreign body in left ear, sequela [Sibling]
  • and 4 more

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Does T16.1XXA require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T16.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to T16.1XXA in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • T16 — Foreign body in ear
  • T16.1 — Foreign body in right ear
  • T16.1XXD — Foreign body in right ear, subsequent encounter
  • T16.1XXS — Foreign body in right ear, sequela
  • T16.2 — Foreign body in left ear
  • T16.2XXA — Foreign body in left ear, initial encounter
  • T16.2XXD — Foreign body in left ear, subsequent encounter
  • T16.2XXS — Foreign body in left ear, sequela
  • T16.9 — Foreign body in ear, unspecified ear
  • T16.9XXA — Foreign body in ear, unspecified ear, initial encounter

View all codes in the T16 family