H16.021 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · free HCC coding tools

ICD-10-CM Code View

HCC Buddy Code Card

Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.

Code lookupH16.021

Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59) / Disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (H15-H22)

H16.021

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Ring corneal ulcer, right eye

A ring-shaped ulcer or open sore on the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) in the right eye, which can cause pain and vision problems.

Overview Risk Models Code Book Documentation Audit Notes Edition comparison

CMS-HCC V28

N/A

—

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

Not mapped

CMS-HCC V24

Historical

Not used for standard CY2026 Medicare Advantage payment. Select a historical period to review V24.

Not used for CY2026 payment

ACA/HHS

N/A

—

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

Not mapped

ESRD/PACE

N/A

—

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

Not mapped

RXHCC

N/A

—

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official

H16.0Corneal ulcer H16.02Ring corneal ulcer H16.021Ring corneal ulcer, right eye

Inclusion Terms

Official

No inclusion terms are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 2

Official

certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)Inherited from H00-H59
certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)Inherited from H00-H59
complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)Inherited from H00-H59
congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)Inherited from H00-H59
diabetes mellitus related eye conditions (E09.3-, E10.3-, E11.3-, E13.3-)Inherited from H00-H59
endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)Inherited from H00-H59
injury (trauma) of eye and orbit (S05.-)Inherited from H00-H59
injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)Inherited from H00-H59
neoplasms (C00-D49)Inherited from H00-H59
symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)Inherited from H00-H59
syphilis related eye disorders (A50.01, A50.3-, A51.43, A52.71)Inherited from H00-H59

Related Codes

Official

H16.022Ring corneal ulcer, left eye H16.023Ring corneal ulcer, bilateral H16.029Ring corneal ulcer, unspecified eye

Includes

Official

No Includes notes are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Excludes 1

Official

No Excludes 1 notes are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Code First

Official

No Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Use Additional

Official

No Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Code Also

Official

No Code Also instructions are included in this display for H16.021. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

Verify laterality is documented as right eye to ensure accurate code selection

Ring corneal ulcers are often associated with autoimmune conditions; review clinical documentation for underlying etiology

Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →

Is H16.021 an HCC code?

No. H16.021 is a billable ICD-10-CM code with no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models.

Code: H16.021
Description: Ring corneal ulcer, right eye
HCC (V28): No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
RAF reference coefficient: —
Billable: Yes
Payment year: 2026

Coder workflow notes

Get the V28 mapping + MEAT cheat sheet

One printable reference: check representative V28 mappings and the documentation reminders your note needs. Free, no card.

Free PDF. No card. Unsubscribe anytime.

What This Code Means

H16.021 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for ring corneal ulcer, right eye. A ring-shaped ulcer or open sore on the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) in the right eye, which can cause pain and vision problems. H16.021 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the eye and adnexa (h00-h59), within the section covering disorders of sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (h15-h22).

H16.021 is a billable ICD-10-CM code, but no current CMS-HCC V28 community payment mapping is shown, and none under the ESRD, Part D RxHCC, or HHS-HCC models. Do not assign risk adjustment value from this page when no source-backed mapping is shown; verify the applicable model and payment year.

Verify laterality is documented as right eye to ensure accurate code selection.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for H16.021 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•Verify laterality is documented as right eye to ensure accurate code selection
•Ring corneal ulcers are often associated with autoimmune conditions; review clinical documentation for underlying etiology