2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H60.521Acute chemical otitis externa, right ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H60-H62›H60

ICD-10-CM H60.521
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

H60.521 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute chemical otitis externa, right ear. 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. Coders also document this condition as acute chemical 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
H60.521
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute chemical otitis externa, right ear
Short Description
Acute chemical otitis externa, right ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H60.52
Acute chemical otitis externa

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH60-H62Diseases of external ear
CategoryH60Otitis externa
This CodeH60.521Acute chemical otitis externa, right ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute chemical otitis externa
  • Acute otitis externa of right ear
  • Right acute chemical otitis externa
  • Right acute non-infective otitis externa

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to H60.521: 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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name H60.521, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 3

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming H60.521: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • L23 Allergic contact dermatitis
    eczema of external ear (H60.5-) names H60.5-, which includes this code
  • L24 Irritant contact dermatitis
    eczema of external ear (H60.5-) names H60.5-, which includes this code
  • L25 Unspecified contact dermatitis
    eczema of external ear (H60.5-) names H60.5-, which includes this code

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

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 Disorders

An ear disorder is any condition that changes or harms the shape or structure of your ear. This can include abnormal ear shapes you're born with, injuries that change your ear's shape, and a growth on or in the ear.

The full article covers:

  • What is an ear disorder?
  • What causes ear disorders?
  • What are the symptoms of ear disorders?
  • How are ear disorders diagnosed?
  • How are ear disorders treated?
  • Can ear disorders be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert H60.521 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
380.22 Acute otitis externa NEC
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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About H60.521Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute chemical otitis externa, right ear?

The ICD-10-CM code for acute chemical otitis externa, right ear is H60.521 (sometimes written as H60521). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is H60.521 (Acute chemical otitis externa) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute chemical otitis externa, right ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does H60.521 group to?

When acute chemical otitis externa, right ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 156, 155, 154, with relative weights from 0.6656 to 1.5916 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H60.521?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute chemical otitis externa, right ear converts to ICD-9-CM 380.22 (acute otitis externa NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.