2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H68.009Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, unspecified ear

ICD-10-CM Codes›H60–H95›H65-H75›H68

ICD-10-CM H68.009
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

H68.009 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, 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 catarrh - eustachian. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Diseases of middle ear and mastoid (except otitis media).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
H68.009
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, unspecified ear
Short Description
Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, unspecified ear
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
H68.00
Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis

Code Classification

ChapterH60–H95Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
SectionH65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
CategoryH68Eustachian salpingitis and obstruction
This CodeH68.009Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, unspecified ear

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Catarrh - eustachian
  • Eustachian tube salpingitis
  • Obstruction of Eustachian tube
  • Obstruction of eustachian tube due to inflammation

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Catarrh, catarrhal(acute) (febrile) (infectious) (inflammation)
      • eustachian

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR EAR002
Diseases of middle ear and mastoid (except otitis media)
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 H68.009 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
381.50 Eustachian salping 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 H68.009Overview

Is H68.009 (Unspecified Eustachian salpingitis) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does H68.009 group to?

When unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, 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 H68.009?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, unspecified Eustachian salpingitis, unspecified ear converts to ICD-9-CM 381.50 (eustachian salping 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.