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  3. H60–H95
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  5. Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere (H67)

Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere (H67)

ICD-10 codes H67 through H67.9 are used for documenting cases of otitis media that occur as part of other underlying diseases. These codes specify the affected ear and the link to a primary condition classified elsewhere in medical records.

Otitis media commonly refers to middle ear inflammation or infection, but the ICD-10 code for otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere (H67) captures instances where this ear issue is secondary to another diagnosed disease. For example, H67.1 denotes right ear involvement, H67.2 indicates left ear, H67.3 covers both ears, and H67.9 is used when the affected ear isn’t specified. The last code also includes cases like "otitis media due to COVID-19" or viral ear infections. By using these codes, health professionals can accurately report otitis media’s role within broader disease processes, improving clarity in clinical documentation and billing.

Instructional Notations

Code First

Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.

  • underlying disease, such as:
  • plasminogen deficiency E88.02
  • viral disease NEC B00 B34

Use Additional Code

The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.

  • code for any associated perforated tympanic membrane H72

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.