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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesH82.9

H82.9

Billable

Vertiginous syndromes in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/12/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 H82.9 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of vertiginous syndromes in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear.

Key Diagnostic Point:

H82.9 refers to vertiginous syndromes that arise as a result of diseases classified elsewhere, specifically affecting the ear but without a specified diagnosis. Vertigo is characterized by a sensation of spinning or dizziness, often accompanied by balance disturbances. This condition can be secondary to various ear diseases, including otitis media, vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, or acoustic neuroma. Patients may present with symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The diagnosis often involves a thorough clinical evaluation, including a detailed patient history, physical examination, and possibly imaging studies or audiometric tests to identify the underlying cause. Management may include medications for symptom relief, vestibular rehabilitation therapy, or surgical interventions depending on the underlying etiology. Accurate coding is crucial for appropriate treatment and reimbursement, especially when the specific ear condition is not identified.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variety of underlying conditions that can cause vertiginous syndromes.
  • Need for comprehensive documentation to support the unspecified nature of the diagnosis.
  • Potential overlap with other ear-related codes, requiring careful differentiation.
  • Variability in clinical presentation and management based on the underlying cause.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Insufficient documentation to support the unspecified nature of the diagnosis.
  • Failure to link the vertiginous syndrome to a specific underlying condition.
  • Inconsistent use of the code across different providers.
  • Lack of clarity in patient history regarding ear-related symptoms.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Otolaryngology

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, physical examination findings, and results of any diagnostic tests.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with dizziness, hearing loss, or tinnitus due to otitis media or vestibular disorders.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that the underlying cause of vertigo is documented to avoid coding errors.

Neurology

Documentation Requirements

Neurological examination findings, imaging results, and differential diagnoses considered.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with vertigo secondary to central nervous system causes, such as vestibular migraines.

Billing Considerations

Documenting the neurological assessment is crucial for accurate coding.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use H82.9 When
  • According to ICD
  • 10 coding guidelines, H82
  • 9 should be used when the vertiginous syndrome is not specified to a particular ear condition
  • Coders must ensure that the documentation supports the use of this unspecified code and that all other potential diagnoses have been ruled out

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use H82.9 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

92567CPT Code

Vestibular function tests

Clinical Scenario

Used when evaluating a patient with vertiginous symptoms.

Documentation Requirements

Document the reason for testing and the results.

Specialty Considerations

Otolaryngologists often perform these tests.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of vertiginous syndromes, but H82.9 remains a catch-all for unspecified cases, which can complicate coding and reimbursement.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of vertiginous syndromes, but H82.9 remains a catch-all for unspecified cases, which can complicate coding and reimbursement.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use H82.9?

Use H82.9 when a patient presents with vertiginous symptoms, and no specific ear condition has been identified after thorough evaluation.