2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B37.84Candidal otitis externa
ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›B35-B49›B37
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Not Chronic
B37.84 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for candidal otitis externa. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156, 791, 793, 974 through 976. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 24 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as bilateral otitis externa of external auditory canals caused by fungus. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Fungal infections and Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Bilateral otitis externa of external auditory canals caused by fungus
- Candidal otitis externa
- Chronic mycotic otitis externa
- Chronic otitis externa caused by Candida
- Infective otitis externa of bilateral ears
- Otitis externa of bilateral external auditory canals caused by Candida species
- Otitis externa of left external auditory canal caused by Candida species
- Otitis externa of left external auditory canal caused by fungus
- Otitis externa of right external auditory canal caused by Candida species
- Otitis externa of right external auditory canal caused by fungus
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to B37.84: its own notes plus those printed at B37, block B35-B49, and Chapter 1. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
Includes
Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.
- candidosis
- moniliasis
- diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissible
Excludes1
Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2
Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.
- carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)
- certain localized infections - see body system-related chapters
- infectious and parasitic diseases complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O98.-)
- infectious and parasitic diseases specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)
- influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)
Use Additional Code
Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.
- code to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugs (Z16.-)
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name B37.84, its category, or a range that includes it.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
Ear See Also: condition;
candidiasis B37.84
moniliasis B37.84
candidiasis B37.84
moniliasis B37.84
candidiasis B37.84
candidiasis B37.84
moniliasis B37.84
candidiasis B37.84
moniliasis B37.84
Otomycosis (diffuse) NEC B36.9
candidiasis B37.84
moniliasis B37.84
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Candidiasis
infection with a fungus of the genus candida. it is usually a superficial infection of the moist areas of the body and is generally caused by candida albicans. (dorland, 27th ed)
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert B37.84 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About B37.84Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for candidal otitis externa?
The ICD-10-CM code for candidal otitis externa is B37.84 (sometimes written as B3784). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is B37.84 (Candidiasis of other sites) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report candidal otitis externa on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does B37.84 group to?
When candidal otitis externa is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 156, 793, 791, 974, 976, 155, 975, 154, with relative weights from 0.6656 to 4.2192 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is B37.84 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists B37.84 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2027. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 24 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
Can B37.84 be reported with P37.5?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at B37, which applies to B37.84, lists "neonatal candidiasis (P37.5)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
