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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code H70.0
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H70.0

Acute mastoiditis

ICD-10-CM Code:
H70.0
ICD-10 Code for:
Acute mastoiditis
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)
      • Mastoiditis and related conditions
        (H70)

H70.0 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 mastoiditis. 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 mastoiditis

Non-specific codes like H70.0 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 mastoiditis:

  • H70.00 for Acute mastoiditis without complications - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.001 for Acute mastoiditis without complications, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.002 for Acute mastoiditis without complications, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.003 for Acute mastoiditis without complications, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.009 for Acute mastoiditis without complications, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H70.01 for Subperiosteal abscess of mastoid - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.011 for Subperiosteal abscess of mastoid, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.012 for Subperiosteal abscess of mastoid, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.013 for Subperiosteal abscess of mastoid, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.019 for Subperiosteal abscess of mastoid, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H70.09 for Acute mastoiditis with other complications - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.091 for Acute mastoiditis with other complications, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.092 for Acute mastoiditis with other complications, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.093 for Acute mastoiditis with other complications, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H70.099 for Acute mastoiditis with other complications, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Abscess of mastoid
  • Empyema of mastoid

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.