2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H65.197Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H65

ICD-10-CM H65.197
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H65.197 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 152 through 153. Coders also document this condition as recurrent acute non-suppurative otitis media. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Otitis media.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Pediatrics medical specialties to designate conditions such other acute nonsuppurative otitis media.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H65.197
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear
Short Description
Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unsp ear
Parent Code
H65.19
Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
CategoryH65Nonsuppurative otitis media
This CodeH65.197Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Recurrent acute non-suppurative otitis media
  • Recurrent acute otitis media

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EAR001
Otitis media
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 H65.197 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
381.00 Ac nonsup otitis med 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 H65.197Overview

Is H65.197 (Other acute nonsuppurative otitis media) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does H65.197 group to?

When other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7382 to 1.1822 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H65.197?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other acute nonsuppurative otitis media recurrent, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 381.00 (ac nonsup otitis med 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.