2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H04.3

Acute and unspecified inflammation of lacrimal passages

ICD-10-CM Code:
H04.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Acute and unspecified inflammation of lacrimal passages
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the eye and adnexa
    (H00–H59)
    • Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit
      (H00-H05)
      • Disorders of lacrimal system
        (H04)

H04.3 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 and unspecified inflammation of lacrimal passages. 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.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like H04.3 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Acute and unspecified inflammation of lacrimal passages

Non-specific codes like H04.3 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 and unspecified inflammation of lacrimal passages:

  • H04.30 for Unspecified dacryocystitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.301 for Unspecified dacryocystitis of right lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.302 for Unspecified dacryocystitis of left lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.303 for Unspecified dacryocystitis of bilateral lacrimal passages - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.309 for Unspecified dacryocystitis of unspecified lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • H04.31 for Phlegmonous dacryocystitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.311 for Phlegmonous dacryocystitis of right lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.312 for Phlegmonous dacryocystitis of left lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.313 for Phlegmonous dacryocystitis of bilateral lacrimal passages - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.319 for Phlegmonous dacryocystitis of unspecified lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • H04.32 for Acute dacryocystitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.321 for Acute dacryocystitis of right lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.322 for Acute dacryocystitis of left lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.323 for Acute dacryocystitis of bilateral lacrimal passages - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.329 for Acute dacryocystitis of unspecified lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • H04.33 for Acute lacrimal canaliculitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.331 for Acute lacrimal canaliculitis of right lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.332 for Acute lacrimal canaliculitis of left lacrimal passage - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.333 for Acute lacrimal canaliculitis of bilateral lacrimal passages - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H04.339 for Acute lacrimal canaliculitis of unspecified lacrimal passage - 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.


Type 1 Excludes

Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • neonatal dacryocystitis P39.1

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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.