2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H61.029Chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H60-H62›H61

ICD-10-CM H61.029
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H61.029 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 564 through 566. Coders also document this condition as chronic perichondritis of pinna. 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
H61.029
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
Short Description
Chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H61.02
Chronic perichondritis of external ear

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH60-H62Diseases of external ear
CategoryH61Other disorders of external ear
This CodeH61.029Chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chronic perichondritis of pinna
  • Elastotic nodules of antihelix
  • Perichondritis of pinna

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 Disorders

Your ear has three main parts: outer, middle and inner. You use all of them in hearing. Sound waves come in through your outer ear. They reach your middle ear, where they make your eardrum vibrate. The vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones, called ossicles, in your middle ear.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert H61.029 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
380.02 Chr perichondritis pinna
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 H61.029Overview

Is H61.029 (Chronic perichondritis of external ear) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H61.029 group to?

When chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 564, 565, 566, with relative weights from 0.7493 to 1.5436 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H61.029?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 380.02 (chr perichondritis pinna). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.