2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H65.22Chronic serous otitis media, left ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H65

ICD-10-CM H65.22
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H65.22 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chronic serous otitis media, left 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 chronic nonsuppurative otitis media of left ear. 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 chronic serous otitis media.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H65.22
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Chronic serous otitis media, left ear
Short Description
Chronic serous otitis media, left ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H65.2
Chronic serous otitis media

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
CategoryH65Nonsuppurative otitis media
This CodeH65.22Chronic serous otitis media, left ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media of left ear
  • Chronic serous otitis media
  • Chronic serous otitis media of left ear
  • Left chronic serosanguineous otitis media
  • Serosanguineous chronic 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 H65.22 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
381.10 Chr serous OM simp/NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
381.19 Chr serous OM 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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About H65.22Overview

Is H65.22 (Chronic serous otitis media) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does H65.22 group to?

When chronic serous otitis media, left 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 H65.22?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, chronic serous otitis media, left ear converts to ICD-9-CM 381.10 (chr serous OM simp/NOS) and 381.19 (chr serous OM NEC). 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.