ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group H60 includes codes for acute, chronic, and unspecified inflammation or infection of the external ear canal and related external ear conditions. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical presentations such as localized external ear infections, diffuse cellulitis of the ear canal, or chronic external ear disease, capturing disease severity, laterality, and complications where applicable. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM H60 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM H60: Otitis Externa Overview

The ICD-10-CM H60 code group represents inflammatory and infectious conditions of the external ear canal, commonly referred to as otitis externa. These diagnoses target the external auditory canal and adjacent structures and can range from acute infections to chronic or unspecified forms. Accurate coding supports appropriate claim processing and reflects the clinical complexity for reimbursement.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when documenting clinical encounters for inflammation or infection localized to the external ear canal or adjacent external ear tissue. Select the specific code based on acuity, laterality, and documented complications or chronicity to reflect the clinical scenario accurately.

ICD-10-CM Codes

72 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
H60.00	Abscess of external ear, unspecified ear
H60.01	Abscess of right external ear
H60.02	Abscess of left external ear
H60.03	Abscess of external ear, bilateral
H60.10	Cellulitis of external ear, unspecified ear
H60.11	Cellulitis of right external ear
H60.12	Cellulitis of left external ear
H60.13	Cellulitis of external ear, bilateral
H60.20	Malignant otitis externa, unspecified ear
H60.21	Malignant otitis externa, right ear
H60.22	Malignant otitis externa, left ear
H60.23	Malignant otitis externa, bilateral
H60.311	Diffuse otitis externa, right ear
H60.312	Diffuse otitis externa, left ear
H60.313	Diffuse otitis externa, bilateral
H60.319	Diffuse otitis externa, unspecified ear
H60.321	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, right ear
H60.322	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, left ear
H60.323	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, bilateral
H60.329	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, unspecified ear

Showing 1–20 of 72

DRG Codes

3 rows

DRG Code	Description
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A healthy adolescent swimmer presents to urgent care with 48 hours of severe right ear pain, pruritus, purulent otorrhea, and tragal tenderness after prolonged pool exposure. Examination shows an erythematous, edematous external auditory canal with debris; symptoms are acute and localized to the external ear, so an acute otitis externa diagnosis is assigned. Typical codes: H60.321, H60.322
An adult with diabetes reports a 2-week history of persistent left ear pain, swelling of the conchal bowl, and worsening drainage despite topical treatment; the clinician documents a chronic, recurrent inflammatory process of the external canal with interval treatment failure and concern for malignant otitis externa risk. Because this is a chronic or complicated external ear infection in a high-risk patient, a chronic/unspecified external ear inflammation code from the group is used. Typical codes: H60.43, H60.42
An older patient presents to the emergency department with severe swelling around the right ear and cellulitis of the preauricular area after a recent external ear infection; the external canal shows extensive inflammation and secondary soft-tissue infection requiring systemic antibiotics and urgent evaluation. A diagnosis from the external ear infection group is assigned to indicate the primary otic source contributing to the surrounding cellulitis and systemic involvement. Typical codes: H60.311, H60.319

Related Codes

H61-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-EXTERNAL-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of External Ear: Group Overview

H62-DISORDERS-OF-EXTERNAL-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of External Ear In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

72 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
H60.00	Abscess of external ear, unspecified ear
H60.01	Abscess of right external ear
H60.02	Abscess of left external ear
H60.03	Abscess of external ear, bilateral
H60.10	Cellulitis of external ear, unspecified ear
H60.11	Cellulitis of right external ear
H60.12	Cellulitis of left external ear
H60.13	Cellulitis of external ear, bilateral
H60.20	Malignant otitis externa, unspecified ear
H60.21	Malignant otitis externa, right ear
H60.22	Malignant otitis externa, left ear
H60.23	Malignant otitis externa, bilateral
H60.311	Diffuse otitis externa, right ear
H60.312	Diffuse otitis externa, left ear
H60.313	Diffuse otitis externa, bilateral
H60.319	Diffuse otitis externa, unspecified ear
H60.321	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, right ear
H60.322	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, left ear
H60.323	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, bilateral
H60.329	Hemorrhagic otitis externa, unspecified ear

Showing 1–20 of 72

DRG Codes

3 rows

DRG Code	Description
154	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
155	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
156	Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A healthy adolescent swimmer presents to urgent care with 48 hours of severe right ear pain, pruritus, purulent otorrhea, and tragal tenderness after prolonged pool exposure. Examination shows an erythematous, edematous external auditory canal with debris; symptoms are acute and localized to the external ear, so an acute otitis externa diagnosis is assigned. Typical codes: H60.321, H60.322
An adult with diabetes reports a 2-week history of persistent left ear pain, swelling of the conchal bowl, and worsening drainage despite topical treatment; the clinician documents a chronic, recurrent inflammatory process of the external canal with interval treatment failure and concern for malignant otitis externa risk. Because this is a chronic or complicated external ear infection in a high-risk patient, a chronic/unspecified external ear inflammation code from the group is used. Typical codes: H60.43, H60.42
An older patient presents to the emergency department with severe swelling around the right ear and cellulitis of the preauricular area after a recent external ear infection; the external canal shows extensive inflammation and secondary soft-tissue infection requiring systemic antibiotics and urgent evaluation. A diagnosis from the external ear infection group is assigned to indicate the primary otic source contributing to the surrounding cellulitis and systemic involvement. Typical codes: H60.311, H60.319

Related Codes

H61-OTHER-DISORDERS-OF-EXTERNAL-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of External Ear: Group Overview

H62-DISORDERS-OF-EXTERNAL-EAR

ICD-10-CM Code For Disorders Of External Ear In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM H60: Otitis Externa Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM H60: Otitis Externa Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are covered under ICD-10-CM H60 for otitis externa?

How does the H60 code set capture laterality and specificity?

Which H60 codes indicate malignant otitis externa and how are they reported?

What H60 codes relate to noninfective acute otitis externa subtypes?

How do H60 codes relate to DRG groupings for inpatient reimbursement?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions are covered under ICD-10-CM H60 for otitis externa?

How does the H60 code set capture laterality and specificity?

Which H60 codes indicate malignant otitis externa and how are they reported?

What H60 codes relate to noninfective acute otitis externa subtypes?

How do H60 codes relate to DRG groupings for inpatient reimbursement?

References