H65-H75
Medium Complexity
Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
Primary Specialty: Otolaryngology
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
ICD-10 Codes (200)
199 billable0 category headers
H66Billable
H66.0Billable
H66.00Billable
H66.001Billable
H66.002Billable
H66.003Billable
H66.004Billable
H66.005Billable
H66.006Billable
H66.007Billable
H66.009Billable
H66.01Billable
H66.011Billable
H66.012Billable
H66.013Billable
H66.014Billable
H66.015Billable
H66.016Billable
H66.017Billable
H66.019Billable
H66.1Billable
H66.10Billable
H66.11Billable
H66.12Billable
H66.13Billable
H66.2Billable
H66.20Billable
H66.21Billable
H66.22Billable
H66.23Billable
H66.3Billable
H66.4Billable
H66.40Billable
H66.41Billable
H66.42Billable
H66.43Billable
H66.9Billable
H66.90Billable
H66.91Billable
H66.92Billable
H66.93Billable
H67Billable
H67.1Billable
H67.2Billable
H67.3Billable
H67.9Billable
H68Billable
H68.0Billable
H68.00Billable
H68.001Billable
H68.002Billable
H68.003Billable
H68.009Billable
H68.01Billable
H68.011Billable
H68.012Billable
H68.013Billable
H68.019Billable
H68.02Billable
H68.021Billable
H68.022Billable
H68.023Billable
H68.029Billable
H68.1Billable
H68.10Billable
H68.101Billable
H68.102Billable
H68.103Billable
H68.109Billable
H68.11Billable
H68.111Billable
H68.112Billable
H68.113Billable
H68.119Billable
H68.12Billable
H68.121Billable
H68.122Billable
H68.123Billable
H68.129Billable
H68.13Billable
H68.131Billable
H68.132Billable
H68.133Billable
H68.139Billable
H69Billable
H69.0Billable
H69.00Billable
H69.01Billable
H69.02Billable
H69.03Billable
H69.8Billable
H69.80Billable
H69.81Billable
H69.82Billable
H69.83Billable
H69.9Billable
H69.90Billable
H69.91Billable
H69.92Billable
H69.93Billable
H70H70.0Billable
H70.00Billable
H70.001Billable
H70.002Billable
H70.003Billable
H70.009Billable
H70.01Billable
H70.011Billable
H70.012Billable
H70.013Billable
H70.019Billable
H70.09Billable
H70.091Billable
H70.092Billable
H70.093Billable
H70.099Billable
H70.1Billable
H70.10Billable
H70.11Billable
H70.12Billable
H70.13Billable
H70.2Billable
H70.20Billable
H70.201Billable
H70.202Billable
H70.203Billable
H70.209Billable
H70.21Billable
H70.211Billable
H70.212Billable
H70.213Billable
H70.219Billable
H70.22Billable
H70.221Billable
H70.222Billable
H70.223Billable
H70.229Billable
H70.8Billable
H70.81Billable
H70.811Billable
H70.812Billable
H70.813Billable
H70.819Billable
H70.89Billable
H70.891Billable
H70.892Billable
H70.893Billable
H70.899Billable
H70.9Billable
H70.90Billable
H70.91Billable
H70.92Billable
H70.93Billable
H71Billable
H71.0Billable
H71.00Billable
H71.01Billable
H71.02Billable
H71.03Billable
H71.1Billable
H71.10Billable
H71.11Billable
H71.12Billable
H71.13Billable
H71.2Billable
H71.20Billable
H71.21Billable
H71.22Billable
H71.23Billable
H71.3Billable
H71.30Billable
H71.31Billable
H71.32Billable
H71.33Billable
H71.9Billable
H71.90Billable
H71.91Billable
H71.92Billable
H71.93Billable
H72Billable
H72.0Billable
H72.00Billable
H72.01Billable
H72.02Billable
H72.03Billable
H72.1Billable
H72.10Billable
H72.11Billable
H72.12Billable
H72.13Billable
H72.2Billable
H72.8Billable
H72.81Billable
H72.811Billable
H72.812Billable
H72.813Billable
H72.819Billable
H72.82Billable
H72.821Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
No significant changes for FY 2026
This range maintains stability with current coding practices
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for H65-H75 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 code range H65-H75 pertains to diseases of the middle ear and mastoid. This category encompasses a variety of conditions, including non-suppurative and suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, and other inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. These codes are used to document diagnoses for patients with ear-related diseases and disorders, and they play a critical role in patient care, medical research, and public health tracking.
Key Usage Points:
- •Always code to the highest level of specificity, which may require additional characters.
- •Use combination codes when a condition has both an underlying etiology and a manifestation.
- •Remember to code recurrent conditions as such, if documented by the provider.
- •Use additional codes to identify any associated underlying conditions.
- •Codes for postprocedural disorders should be used when a condition arises as a direct result of a procedure.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with acute or chronic otitis media.
- ✓When a patient has mastoiditis or other inflammatory diseases of the middle ear.
- ✓When a patient has a postprocedural disorder of the ear.
- ✓When a patient has a non-suppurative or suppurative otitis media.
- ✓When a patient has an abscess of the mastoid.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When the condition is not specifically related to the middle ear or mastoid.
- ✗When the condition is a congenital anomaly of the ear.
- ✗When the condition is an external ear disorder.
- ✗When the condition is a disorder of the inner ear.
- ✗When the condition is a nonspecific ear disorder.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions with the latest version of the ICD-10-CM guidelines.
Documentation Requirements
Proper documentation for codes H65-H75 should include a clear and specific diagnosis, the acuity of the condition, any underlying conditions, and any complications or manifestations. The documentation should also specify if the condition is a result of a previous procedure.
Clinical Information:
- •Specific diagnosis
- •Acuity of the condition
- •Underlying conditions
- •Complications or manifestations
- •Postprocedural status
Supporting Evidence:
- •Medical history
- •Physical examination findings
- •Diagnostic test results
- •Treatment plans
Good Documentation Example:
Patient diagnosed with acute suppurative otitis media due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, confirmed by ear swab culture.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has ear infection.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not specifying the acuity of the condition
- âš Not identifying the specific type of otitis media
- âš Not documenting underlying conditions
- âš Not using postprocedural codes when applicable
Range Statistics
Total Codes
199
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
The coding complexity for this range is medium due to the need to accurately identify the specific type of otitis media, any underlying conditions, postprocedural status, and any complications or manifestations. Additionally, coders must ensure they are coding to the highest level of specificity.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Determining the specific type of otitis media
- â–¸Identifying any underlying conditions
- â–¸Recognizing postprocedural conditions
- â–¸Identifying any complications or manifestations
- â–¸Coding to the highest level of specificity
Specialty Focus
These codes are primarily used by otolaryngologists, but may also be used by primary care providers, pediatricians, and emergency medicine physicians.
Primary Specialties:
Otolaryngology
60%
Primary Care
30%
Pediatrics
10%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient presents with severe ear pain and fever. Examination reveals a bulging tympanic membrane. The patient is diagnosed with acute suppurative otitis media.
- • A patient with a history of chronic otitis media presents with worsening ear pain and discharge. Examination reveals a perforated tympanic membrane and the patient is diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media with perforation.
- • A patient presents with ear pain following a recent ear surgery. Examination reveals inflammation and the patient is diagnosed with postprocedural otitis media.
- • A patient presents with severe ear pain and headache. Examination and imaging reveal inflammation of the mastoid process. The patient is diagnosed with acute mastoiditis.
Resources & References
Resources for these codes include the official ICD-10-CM guidelines, clinical reference materials, and educational resources for otolaryngology and coding.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Guidelines
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICD-10 Resources
Clinical References:
- American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- UpToDate: Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) in Adults
- Medscape: Otitis Media
Educational Materials:
- AHIMA ICD-10 Training
- AAPC ICD-10 Training
- ICD10Data.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code for recurrent otitis media?
Recurrent otitis media should be coded using the appropriate code for the type of otitis media, with an additional code to indicate the recurrent nature of the condition.