2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H61.322Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H60-H62›H61

ICD-10-CM H61.322
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H61.322 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection. 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 chronic otitis externa of left external auditory canal. 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
H61.322
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection
Short Description
Acquired stenosis of l ext ear canal sec to inflam and infct
Parent Code
H61.32
Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH60-H62Diseases of external ear
CategoryH61Other disorders of external ear
This CodeH61.322Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chronic otitis externa of left external auditory canal
  • Stenosis of left external ear canal due to and following infection
  • Stenosis of left external ear canal due to and following inflammation

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

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Convert H61.322 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
380.53 Stenosis ear d/t inflam
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 H61.322Overview

Is H61.322 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H61.322 group to?

When acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection 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 H61.322?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection converts to ICD-9-CM 380.53 (stenosis ear d/t inflam). 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.