Other disorders of ear

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 H90-H94 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...

Key Usage Points:

• •Always specify the type of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.
• •Use additional codes to identify the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, history of tobacco use, or occupational exposure to noise.
• •For bilateral conditions, use the bilateral code. If no bilateral code exists, use separate codes for both ears.
• •For tinnitus, specify whether it's subjective (H93.13) or objective (H93.12).
• •For vertigo, use additional code to identify the type (H81.-).

When to Use:

• ✓When a patient presents with hearing loss without inflammation.
• ✓When a patient complains of tinnitus.
• ✓When a patient is diagnosed with an auditory nerve disorder.
• ✓When a patient has a non-inflammatory disorder of the ear.
• ✓When a patient has vertigo.

When NOT to Use:

• ✗When the condition is inflammatory in nature.
• ✗When the condition is related to the external ear.
• ✗When the condition is due to an injury or trauma.
• ✗When the condition is a congenital anomaly.
• ✗When the condition is due to a neoplasm.

Common Documentation Errors:

• ⚠Not specifying the type of hearing loss
• ⚠Not documenting the cause of the disorder
• ⚠Not indicating the location of the disorder
• ⚠Not providing supporting evidence