Q38.5 Congenital malformations of palate, not elsewhere classified

The ICD-10-CM code for Congenital malformations of palate, not elsewhere classified is Q38.5 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

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

Section

Q38-Q45: Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45)

Category Q38

10 codes (9 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

Also Known As

ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index entries that lead to Q38.5:

• Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type) › uvula
• Agenesis › uvula
• Absence (of) (organ or part) (complete or partial) › uvula, congenital
• Flaccid › palate, congenital
• Deformity › palate (congenital)
• High › palate, congenital
• Deformity › uvula (congenital)
• Anomaly, anomalous (congenital) (unspecified type) › palate (hard) (soft) NEC

Inclusion Terms

• Congenital absence of uvula
• Congenital malformation of palate NOS
• Congenital high arched palate

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 1,475 U.S. inpatient stays in 2023 included Q38.5 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)