Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear
ICD-10 H66.90 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear.
Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, which can be acute or chronic and is characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear space. The unspecified designation indicates that the specific type of otitis media (e.g., acute, chronic, serous) has not been determined. Patients may present with symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, fever, irritability in children, and drainage from the ear. Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, including otoscopy, and may be supplemented by audiometric testing to assess hearing loss. Management may include observation, antibiotics for bacterial infections, or surgical interventions such as tympanostomy tube placement for recurrent cases. The unspecified nature of this code can complicate treatment planning and insurance reimbursement, as it lacks specificity regarding the underlying cause or duration of the condition.
Detailed history of present illness, physical examination findings, and treatment plan.
Acute otitis media in children, chronic otitis media in adults, and recurrent ear infections.
Ensure documentation reflects the duration and severity of symptoms to support the diagnosis.
Growth and development assessments, vaccination history, and family history of ear infections.
Frequent ear infections in young children, management of otitis media with effusion.
Consideration of age-related factors in treatment decisions and documentation of parental concerns.
Used for recurrent otitis media in children.
Document the frequency of infections and previous treatments.
Otolaryngologists should ensure clear documentation of the need for surgical intervention.
Use H66.90 when the type of otitis media is unspecified and there is documentation of symptoms consistent with middle ear inflammation.
