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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of middle ear and mastoidICD-10-CM h72-perforation-of-tympanic-membrane
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Perforation Of Tympanic Membrane: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group H72 includes diagnoses for perforation of the tympanic membrane, including acute, chronic, and unspecified ruptures of the eardrum and related complications. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters where tympanic membrane integrity is compromised, capturing details such as laterality, chronicity, and associated middle ear involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM H72 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM H72: Perforation Of Tympanic Membrane Overview

    The ICD-10-CM H72 group represents diagnoses for perforations of the tympanic membrane, commonly known as eardrum ruptures, affecting the middle ear. These codes cover acute and chronic perforations, often distinguishing laterality and cause when specified. Accurate coding matters for correct clinical records and can affect reimbursement by reflecting the severity and treatment needs of the condition.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when a clinical encounter documents a perforated tympanic membrane or eardrum rupture with specifications of laterality or chronicity. Select the code that best reflects the documented acute versus chronic status and any associated complications or sequelae.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    24 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H72.00Central perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
    H72.01Central perforation of tympanic membrane, right ear
    H72.02Central perforation of tympanic membrane, left ear
    H72.03Central perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral
    H72.10Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
    H72.11Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, right ear
    H72.12Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, left ear
    H72.13Attic perforation of tympanic membrane, bilateral
    H72.2X1Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, right ear
    H72.2X2Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, left ear
    H72.2X3Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateral
    H72.2X9Other marginal perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
    H72.811Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, right ear
    H72.812Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, left ear
    H72.813Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateral
    H72.819Multiple perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear
    H72.821Total perforations of tympanic membrane, right ear
    H72.822Total perforations of tympanic membrane, left ear
    H72.823Total perforations of tympanic membrane, bilateral
    H72.829Total perforations of tympanic membrane, unspecified ear

    Showing 1–20 of 24

    DRG Codes

    3 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
    155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
    156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • A young child presents to urgent care after acute ear pain, fever, and sudden drainage from the ear following an acute middle ear infection; otoscopic exam shows a recent perforation of the tympanic membrane with purulent otorrhea and intact surrounding canal skin. This is an acute presentation of eardrum rupture related to infection where the timing and active drainage indicate an acute perforation is being coded. Typical codes: H72.00, H72.01.
    • An adult with a history of chronic otitis media has long-standing conductive hearing loss and an old, healed central tympanic membrane defect noted on exam without active infection or drainage; the patient is seen for audiology evaluation and surgical consultation for tympanoplasty. This represents a chronic, non-acute perforation sequela where the perforation persists but is not currently infected. Typical codes: H72.10, H72.11.
    • A patient presents after barotrauma during scuba diving with a large traumatic perforation and severe vertigo; the clinician documents a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation with associated acute middle ear injury requiring emergency evaluation and possible ENT referral. This is an acute traumatic perforation as a complication of barotrauma and is coded to indicate the traumatic etiology and acute status. Typical codes: H72.2X1, H72.2X2.

    Related Codes

    H65-NONSUPPURATIVE-OTITIS-MEDIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Nonsuppurative Otitis Media: Group Overview

    H66-SUPPURATIVE-AND-UNSPECIFIED-OTITIS-MEDIA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Suppurative And Unspecified Otitis Media: Group Overview

    H67-OTITIS-MEDIA-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Media In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    H68-EUSTACHIAN-SALPINGITIS-AND-OBSTRUCTION

    ICD-10-CM Code For Eustachian Salpingitis And Obstruction: Group Overview

    H69-OTHER-AND-UNSPECIFIED-EUSTACHIAN-TUBE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other And Unspecified Disorders Of Eustachian Tube: Group Overview

    H70-MASTOIDITIS-AND-RELATED-CONDITIONS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Mastoiditis And Related Conditions: Group Overview

    H71-CHOLESTEATOMA-OF-MIDDLE-EAR

    ICD-10-CM Code For Cholesteatoma Of Middle Ear: Group Overview

    H73-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-TYMPANIC-MEMBRANE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Tympanic Membrane: Group Overview

    H74-OTHER-DISORDERS-MIDDLE-EAR-MASTOID

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Middle Ear Mastoid: Group Overview

    H75-OTHER-MIDDLE-EAR-DISORDERS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of Middle Ear And Mastoid In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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