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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of external earICD-10-CM h61-other-disorders-of-external-ear
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Disorders Of External Ear: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group H61 includes diagnoses covering noninfectious and noninflammatory conditions of the external ear such as impacted cerumen, foreign bodies, stenosis, and deformities of the auricle and external auditory canal. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document outpatient and inpatient encounters where external ear obstruction, structural abnormalities, or related functional impairment are assessed and treated, capturing disease severity and organ involvement when specified. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM H61 group supports complete clinical documentation, proper claim adjudication, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM H61: Other Disorders Of External Ear Overview

    The ICD-10-CM H61 group comprises diagnoses affecting the external ear, including obstructive and structural disorders such as impacted cerumen, foreign bodies, and deformities that impair ear function. These conditions target the external auditory canal, auricle, and related superficial ear structures. Accurate coding ensures clinical encounters are clearly documented and supports appropriate reimbursement for services related to ear care.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when the primary clinical problem involves the external ear structures, including obstruction of the external auditory canal or structural auricular abnormalities documented by the clinician. Select the most specific code available to indicate laterality, presence of foreign bodies, or obstruction to support clinical documentation and billing.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    64 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    H61.001Unspecified perichondritis of right external ear
    H61.002Unspecified perichondritis of left external ear
    H61.003Unspecified perichondritis of external ear, bilateral
    H61.009Unspecified perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
    H61.011Acute perichondritis of right external ear
    H61.012Acute perichondritis of left external ear
    H61.013Acute perichondritis of external ear, bilateral
    H61.019Acute perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
    H61.021Chronic perichondritis of right external ear
    H61.022Chronic perichondritis of left external ear
    H61.023Chronic perichondritis of external ear, bilateral
    H61.029Chronic perichondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
    H61.031Chondritis of right external ear
    H61.032Chondritis of left external ear
    H61.033Chondritis of external ear, bilateral
    H61.039Chondritis of external ear, unspecified ear
    H61.101Unspecified noninfective disorders of pinna, right ear
    H61.102Unspecified noninfective disorders of pinna, left ear
    H61.103Unspecified noninfective disorders of pinna, bilateral
    H61.109Unspecified noninfective disorders of pinna, unspecified ear

    Showing 1–20 of 64

    DRG Codes

    8 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    152Otitis Media and URI with MCC
    153Otitis Media and URI without MCC
    154Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with MCC
    155Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses with CC
    156Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat Diagnoses without CC/MCC
    564Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with MCC
    565Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses with CC
    566Other Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue Diagnoses without CC/MCC

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult presents to urgent care with acute, painful swelling and erythema of the auricle after sleeping with a new ear accessory and localized cellulitis of the pinna is suspected; the clinician documents external ear inflammation with possible secondary infection and prescribes oral antibiotics and warm compresses. A code from this group is assigned for the localized inflammatory/infectious disorder of the external ear. Typical codes: H61.11, H61.12.
    • A pediatric patient is seen in outpatient ENT clinic for chronic keloid formation and deformity of the helix following multiple ear piercings; the condition causes episodic pain and difficulty wearing hearing protection, and surgical excision with reconstruction is planned. A code from this group is used to capture the chronic external ear deformity related to previous trauma/piercing. Typical codes: H61.31, H61.32.
    • An elderly nursing-home resident with advanced dementia develops recurrent moisture-related maceration and breakdown of the retroauricular skin with fungal overgrowth complicating pressure from bedding; nursing staff request dermatology/ENT assessment for wound care and topical antifungal therapy. A code from this group is selected to describe the external ear lesion as a complication/comorbidity contributing to the resident’s care needs. Typical codes: H61.39, H61.89.

    Related Codes

    H60-OTITIS-EXTERNA

    ICD-10-CM Code For Otitis Externa: 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. 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. 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. 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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