Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H65.4

Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media

ICD-10-CM Code:
H65.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
    (H60–H95)
    • Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
      (H65-H75)
      • Nonsuppurative otitis media
        (H65)

H65.4 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media. 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 Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media

Non-specific codes like H65.4 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 other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media:

  • H65.41 for Chronic allergic otitis media - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.411 for Chronic allergic otitis media, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.412 for Chronic allergic otitis media, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.413 for Chronic allergic otitis media, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.419 for Chronic allergic otitis media, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H65.49 for Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.491 for Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.492 for Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.493 for Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H65.499 for Other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


Ear Infections

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Adults can also get ear infections, but they are less common.

The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid.

If your child isn't old enough to say "My ear hurts," here are a few things to look for:

  • Tugging at ears
  • Crying more than usual
  • Fluid draining from the ear
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Balance difficulties
  • Hearing problems

Your health care provider will diagnose an ear infection by looking inside the ear with an instrument called an otoscope.

Often, ear infections go away on their own. Your health care provider may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics.

Children who get infections often may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders


[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.