Q18.2 Other branchial cleft malformations

The ICD-10-CM code for Other branchial cleft malformations is Q18.2 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

17: Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-QA0)

Section

Q10-Q18: Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck (Q10-Q18)

Category Q18

11 codes (10 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to Q18.2:

• Otocephaly
• Cervical › auricle
• Auricle, auricular › cervical
• Persistence, persistent (congenital) › branchial cleft NOS
• Branchial › cartilage, congenital
• Cleft (congenital) › branchial (persistent)
• Malformation (congenital) › branchial cleft
• Imperfect › closure (congenital) › branchial cleft NOS

Inclusion Terms

• Branchial cleft malformation NOS
• Cervical auricle
• Otocephaly

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 210 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included Q18.2 among the documented diagnoses.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

POA indicator for congenital conditions/anomalies and Q00-Q99 exception

Congenital conditions and anomalies Assign “Y” for congenital conditions and anomalies except for categories Q00- Q99, Congenital anomalies, which are on the exempt list. Congenital conditions are always considered present on admission.

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)