2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H60.312Diffuse otitis externa, left ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H60-H62›H60

ICD-10-CM H60.312
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H60.312 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diffuse otitis externa, left ear. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 154 through 156. Coders also document this condition as diffuse otitis externa. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H60.312
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Diffuse otitis externa, left ear
Short Description
Diffuse otitis externa, left ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H60.31
Diffuse otitis externa

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH60-H62Diseases of external ear
CategoryH60Otitis externa
This CodeH60.312Diffuse otitis externa, left ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Diffuse otitis externa
  • Left diffuse otitis externa

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR EAR006
Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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 H60.312 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
380.10 Infec otitis externa NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H60.312Overview

Is H60.312 (Diffuse otitis externa) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report diffuse otitis externa, left ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H60.312 group to?

When diffuse otitis externa, left ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 154, 155, 156, with relative weights from 0.6911 to 1.5635 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H60.312?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, diffuse otitis externa, left ear converts to ICD-9-CM 380.10 (infec otitis externa NOS). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.