Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H81

Disorders of vestibular function

ICD-10-CM Code:
H81
ICD-10 Code for:
Disorders of vestibular function
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
    (H60–H95)
    • Diseases of inner ear
      (H80-H83)
      • Disorders of vestibular function
        (H81)

H81 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of disorders of vestibular function. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Disorders of vestibular function

Non-specific codes like H81 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for disorders of vestibular function:

  • H81.0 for Meniere's disease - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.01 for Meniere's disease, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.02 for Meniere's disease, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.03 for Meniere's disease, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.09 for Meniere's disease, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.1 for Benign paroxysmal vertigo - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.10 for Benign paroxysmal vertigo, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.11 for Benign paroxysmal vertigo, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.12 for Benign paroxysmal vertigo, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.13 for Benign paroxysmal vertigo, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.2 for Vestibular neuronitis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.20 for Vestibular neuronitis, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.21 for Vestibular neuronitis, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.22 for Vestibular neuronitis, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.23 for Vestibular neuronitis, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.3 for Other peripheral vertigo - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.31 for Aural vertigo - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.39 for Other peripheral vertigo - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.4 for Vertigo of central origin - BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.8 for Other disorders of vestibular function - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.8X for Other disorders of vestibular function - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • H81.9 for Unspecified disorder of vestibular function - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.90 for Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, unspecified ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.91 for Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, right ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.92 for Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, left ear - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use H81.93 for Unspecified disorder of vestibular function, bilateral - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Type 1 Excludes

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.
  • epidemic vertigo A88.1
  • vertigo NOS R42

Patient Education


Balance Problems

Have you ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or as if the room is spinning around you? If the feeling happens often, it could be a sign of a balance problem. Balance problems can make you feel unsteady. You may also have blurred vision, confusion, and disorientation. They are one cause of falls and fall-related injuries, such as a hip fracture (broken hip).

Some balance problems are due to problems in the inner ear. Others may involve another part of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Aging, infections, head injury, certain medicines, or problems with blood circulation may also cause balance problems.

It is important to see your doctor about balance problems. They can be a sign of other health problems, such as an ear infection or a stroke. Your doctor may send you to a specialist for a diagnosis. You may need a hearing test, blood tests, or imaging studies of your head and brain. Other possible tests look at your eye movements, and how your body responds to movement.

In some cases, treating the illness that is causing the disorder will help with the balance problem. Exercises, a change in diet, and some medicines also can help.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Dizziness and Vertigo

When you're dizzy, you may feel lightheaded, woozy, or disoriented. If you feel like you or the room are spinning, you have vertigo. These feelings may make you lose your balance.

Dizziness can have many different causes. A sudden drop in blood pressure or being dehydrated can make you dizzy. Many people feel lightheaded if they get up too quickly from sitting or lying down. Certain medicines and problems with your inner ear may cause dizziness. So can motion sickness. Sometimes dizziness can be a symptom of other disorders.

As people get older, they may have more health problems and take more medicines. This makes them more likely to have problems with dizziness and balance.

Dizziness usually gets better by itself or is easily treated. If you are dizzy often, you should see your health care provider to find the cause.

NIH: National Institutes of Health


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

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. The vibrations travel to your inner ear, a snail-shaped organ. The inner ear makes the nerve impulses that are sent to the brain. Your brain recognizes them as sounds. The inner ear also controls balance.

A variety of conditions may affect your hearing or balance:

  • Ear infections are the most common illness in infants and young children.
  • Tinnitus, a roaring in your ears, can be the result of loud noises, medicines or a variety of other causes.
  • Meniere's disease may be the result of fluid problems in your inner ear; its symptoms include tinnitus and dizziness.
  • Ear barotrauma is an injury to your ear because of changes in barometric (air) or water pressure.

Some ear disorders can result in hearing disorders and deafness.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.