2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H60Otitis externa

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H60-H62›H60

ICD-10-CM H60
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H60 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for otitis externa, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as H60.00, H60.01, H60.02, and H60.03.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H60
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Otitis externa
Short Description
Otitis externa
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
H60-H62
Diseases of external ear

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH60-H62Diseases of external ear
CategoryH60Otitis externa
This CodeH60Otitis externa

Specific Coding for Otitis externaOverview

Non-specific codes like H60 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • H60.0 for Abscess of external ear

  • Use H60.00 for Abscess of external ear, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.01 for Abscess of right external ear

  • Use H60.02 for Abscess of left external ear

  • Use H60.03 for Abscess of external ear, bilateral

  • H60.1 for Cellulitis of external ear

  • Use H60.10 for Cellulitis of external ear, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.11 for Cellulitis of right external ear

  • Use H60.12 for Cellulitis of left external ear

  • Use H60.13 for Cellulitis of external ear, bilateral

  • H60.2 for Malignant otitis externa

  • Use H60.20 for Malignant otitis externa, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.21 for Malignant otitis externa, right ear

  • Use H60.22 for Malignant otitis externa, left ear

  • Use H60.23 for Malignant otitis externa, bilateral

  • H60.3 for Other infective otitis externa

  • H60.31 for Diffuse otitis externa

  • H60.32 for Hemorrhagic otitis externa

  • H60.33 for Swimmer's ear

  • H60.39 for Other infective otitis externa

  • H60.4 for Cholesteatoma of external ear

  • Use H60.40 for Cholesteatoma of external ear, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.41 for Cholesteatoma of right external ear

  • Use H60.42 for Cholesteatoma of left external ear

  • Use H60.43 for Cholesteatoma of external ear, bilateral

  • H60.5 for Acute noninfective otitis externa

  • H60.50 for Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa

  • H60.51 for Acute actinic otitis externa

  • H60.52 for Acute chemical otitis externa

  • H60.53 for Acute contact otitis externa

  • H60.54 for Acute eczematoid otitis externa

  • H60.55 for Acute reactive otitis externa

  • H60.59 for Other noninfective acute otitis externa

  • H60.6 for Unspecified chronic otitis externa

  • Use H60.60 for Unspecified chronic otitis externa, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.61 for Unspecified chronic otitis externa, right ear

  • Use H60.62 for Unspecified chronic otitis externa, left ear

  • Use H60.63 for Unspecified chronic otitis externa, bilateral

  • H60.8 for Other otitis externa

  • H60.8X for Other otitis externa

  • H60.9 for Unspecified otitis externa

  • Use H60.90 for Unspecified otitis externa, unspecified ear

  • Use H60.91 for Unspecified otitis externa, right ear

  • Use H60.92 for Unspecified otitis externa, left ear

  • Use H60.93 for Unspecified otitis externa, bilateral

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H60: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 8. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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.

From Chapter 8 (H60-H95) Diseases of the ear and mastoid process applies to 653 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 8 (H60-H95) Diseases of the ear and mastoid process applies to 653 codes
  • Use an external cause code following the code for the ear condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the ear condition

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Otitis Externa

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

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.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H60Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for otitis externa?

H60 is the ICD-10-CM category for otitis externa, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is H60 (Otitis externa) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for otitis externa, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for otitis externa need a more specific code from this category, such as H60.00, H60.01, and H60.02.