Z01.10 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing without abnormal findings

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.

Applicable to

• Encounter for examination of ears and hearing NOS

Applies from Z01 Encounter for other special examination without complaint, suspected or reported diagnosis

Includes

• routine examination of specific system

Excludes1 (never code together)

• encounter for examination for administrative purposes (Z02.-)
• encounter for examination for suspected conditions, proven not to exist (Z03.-)
• encounter for laboratory, radiologic and imaging examinations for sign(s) and symptom(s) - code to the sign(s) or symptom(s)

Excludes2 (not included here)

• encounter for laboratory and radiologic examinations as a component of general medical examinations (Z00.0-)
• screening examinations (Z11-Z13)

Notes

• Codes from category Z01 represent the reason for the encounter. A separate procedure code is required to identify any examinations or procedures performed

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 795 in MDC 15.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• V72.19 Other examination of ears and hearing (approximate)

Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))

• Unacceptable principal diagnosis: These codes describe a circumstance which influences care but is not a current illness or injury, or capture only an underlying condition, and are unacceptable as principal diagnosis.

Code annotations containing back-references to Z01.10

Back-references to Z01.1

• Type 2 Excludes: Z13.5 Encounter for screening for eye and ear disorders ("encounter for general hearing examination (Z01.1-)")

Back-references to Z01

• Type 1 Excludes: Z02.7 Encounter for issue of medical certificate ("encounter for general medical examination (Z00-Z01, Z02.0-Z02.6, Z02.8-Z02.9)")
• Type 2 Excludes: Z71.84 Encounter for health counseling related to travel ("encounter for other special examination without complaint, suspected or reported diagnosis (Z01.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for Z01.10

• Admission (for) › examination at health care facility (adult) › ear
• Admission (for) › examination at health care facility (adult) › hearing
• Examination (for) (following) (general) (of) (routine) › ear
• Examination (for) (following) (general) (of) (routine) › hearing
• Hearing examination
• Test, tests, testing (for) › hearing

Nearby codes

• Z01.01 Encounter for examination of eyes and vision with abnormal findings
• Z01.02 Encounter for examination of eyes and vision following failed vision screening
• Z01.020 Encounter for examination of eyes and vision following failed vision screening without abnormal findings
• Z01.021 Encounter for examination of eyes and vision following failed vision screening with abnormal findings
• Z01.1 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing
• Z01.10 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing without abnormal findings (this code)
• Z01.11 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing with abnormal findings
• Z01.110 Encounter for hearing examination following failed hearing screening
• Z01.118 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing with other abnormal findings
• Z01.12 Encounter for hearing conservation and treatment
• Z01.2 Encounter for dental examination and cleaning