2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H67.9Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear
ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H67
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
H67.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, 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. The code is a manifestation code that cannot be reported as the principal diagnosis. Coders also document this condition as otitis media due to COVID-19. 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 otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Code EditsBilling
Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for H67.9.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Otitis media due to COVID-19
- Viral ear infection
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 H67.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About H67.9Overview
Is H67.9 (Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does H67.9 group to?
On inpatient claims, otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear maps to MS-DRG 152, 153, with relative weights from 0.7382 to 1.1822 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can H67.9 be a principal diagnosis?
No. This is a manifestation code: otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear describes the manifestation of an underlying disease rather than the disease itself, so the underlying condition is sequenced first.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of H67.9?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 382.02 (ac supp OM in oth dis). 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.
