ICD-10-CM › S00-T88 › T15-T19 › T16 Foreign body in ear › T16.1

This code exists but cannot be submitted on its own. It groups the more specific codes beneath it.

A category header for its whole life, FY2016 onwards. It has never been valid for submission on its own.

Submit one of these 3 more specific codes instead:

• T16.1XXA Foreign body in right ear, initial encounter
• T16.1XXD Foreign body in right ear, subsequent encounter
• T16.1XXS Foreign body in right ear, sequela

This code requires a seventh character. See the rule below.

What has happened to this code

Official coding rules

Published by CDC for FY2027. A rule attached to a category binds every code beneath it, so the rules inherited from this code's ancestors are shown with the code they come from.

Inherited from T16 Foreign body in ear

Seventh character required

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

Includes

• foreign body in auditory canal

Inherited from the T15-T19 section Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice (T15-T19)

Excludes2 - not included here

• foreign body accidentally left in operation wound (T81.5-)
• foreign body in penetrating wound - See open wound by body region
• residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5)
• splinter, without open wound - See superficial injury by body region

Use additional code

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

How CDC's index refers to this code

Wording from the official alphabetic index. Much of it appears nowhere in the code description, which is why a search for the everyday phrase so often finds nothing.

• Emesis
• Retching
• Granuloma > talc
• Regurgitation > food
• Foreign body > granuloma
• Foreign body > auditory canal
• Reaction > foreign > body NEC
• Foreign body > lacrimal punctum
• Aspiration > syndrome of newborn
• Regurgitation > gastric contents
• Myositis > foreign body granuloma
• Pneumonia > neonatal > aspiration
• Syndrome > aspiration, of newborn
• Asphyxia, asphyxiation > inhalation
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > globe
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > auricle
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > eyeball
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > auditory canal
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > lacrimal apparatus
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > tear ducts or glands
• Foreign body > entering through orifice > ear

Codes in the same group

Code	Description	Status
T16.2	Foreign body in left ear	Not billable
T16.9	Foreign body in ear, unspecified ear	Not billable