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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H60.5
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H60.5

Acute noninfective otitis externa

ICD-10-CM Code:
H60.5
ICD-10 Code for:
Acute noninfective otitis externa
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
    (H60–H95)
    • Diseases of external ear
      (H60-H62)
      • Otitis externa
        (H60)

H60.5 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of acute noninfective otitis externa. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Acute noninfective otitis externa

Non-specific codes like H60.5 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for acute noninfective otitis externa:

  • H60.50 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.501 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.502 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.503 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.509 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.51 for Acute actinic otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.511 for Acute actinic otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.512 for Acute actinic otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.513 for Acute actinic otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.519 for Acute actinic otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.52 for Acute chemical otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.521 for Acute chemical otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.522 for Acute chemical otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.523 for Acute chemical otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.529 for Acute chemical otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.53 for Acute contact otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.531 for Acute contact otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.532 for Acute contact otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.533 for Acute contact otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.539 for Acute contact otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.54 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.541 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.542 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.543 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.549 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.55 for Acute reactive otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.551 for Acute reactive otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.552 for Acute reactive otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.553 for Acute reactive otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.559 for Acute reactive otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H60.59 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.591 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.592 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.593 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H60.599 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Otitis Externa

    inflammation of the outer ear including the external ear canal, cartilages of the auricle (ear cartilage), and the tympanic membrane.

Patient Education


Ear Disorders

Your ear has three main parts: outer, middle and inner. You use all of them in hearing. Sound waves come in through your outer ear. They reach your middle ear, where they make your eardrum vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones, called ossicles, in your middle ear. The vibrations travel to your inner ear, a snail-shaped organ. The inner ear makes the nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Your brain recognizes them as sounds. The inner ear also controls balance.

A variety of conditions may affect your hearing or balance:

  • Ear infections are the most common illness in infants and young children.
  • Tinnitus, a roaring in your ears, can be the result of loud noises, medicines or a variety of other causes.
  • Meniere's disease may be the result of fluid problems in your inner ear; its symptoms include tinnitus and dizziness.
  • Ear barotrauma is an injury to your ear because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure.

Some ear disorders can result in hearing disorders and deafness.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.