H60
Non-Billable

Otitis externa

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Otitis externa?

ICD-10-CM H60 is the diagnosis code for Otitis externa. This code falls under the section "Diseases of external ear" within Chapter 8 — Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

Coding Guidelines for H60

Always refer to the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List for complete coding guidelines. Ensure documentation supports the specificity of the code selected. When in doubt, consult a certified medical coder or the latest CMS guidelines.

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H60 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 9 entries
H60.0Abscess of external earNon-BillableH60.00Abscess of external ear, unspecified earBillableH60.01Abscess of right external earBillableH60.02Abscess of left external earBillableH60.03Abscess of external ear, bilateralBillableH60.1Cellulitis of external earNon-BillableH60.10Cellulitis of external ear, unspecified earBillableH60.11Cellulitis of right external earBillableH60.12Cellulitis of left external earBillableH60.13Cellulitis of external ear, bilateralBillableH60.2Malignant otitis externaNon-BillableH60.20Malignant otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.21Malignant otitis externa, right earBillableH60.22Malignant otitis externa, left earBillableH60.23Malignant otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.3Other infective otitis externaNon-BillableH60.31Diffuse otitis externaNon-BillableH60.311Diffuse otitis externa, right earBillableH60.312Diffuse otitis externa, left earBillableH60.313Diffuse otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.319Diffuse otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.32Hemorrhagic otitis externaNon-BillableH60.321Hemorrhagic otitis externa, right earBillableH60.322Hemorrhagic otitis externa, left earBillableH60.323Hemorrhagic otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.329Hemorrhagic otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.33Swimmer's earNon-BillableH60.331Swimmer's ear, right earBillableH60.332Swimmer's ear, left earBillableH60.333Swimmer's ear, bilateralBillableH60.339Swimmer's ear, unspecified earBillableH60.39Other infective otitis externaNon-BillableH60.391Other infective otitis externa, right earBillableH60.392Other infective otitis externa, left earBillableH60.393Other infective otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.399Other infective otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.4Cholesteatoma of external earNon-BillableH60.40Cholesteatoma of external ear, unspecified earBillableH60.41Cholesteatoma of right external earBillableH60.42Cholesteatoma of left external earBillableH60.43Cholesteatoma of external ear, bilateralBillableH60.5Acute noninfective otitis externaNon-BillableH60.50Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externaNon-BillableH60.501Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, right earBillableH60.502Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, left earBillableH60.503Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.509Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.51Acute actinic otitis externaNon-BillableH60.511Acute actinic otitis externa, right earBillableH60.512Acute actinic otitis externa, left earBillableH60.513Acute actinic otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.519Acute actinic otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.52Acute chemical otitis externaNon-BillableH60.521Acute chemical otitis externa, right earBillableH60.522Acute chemical otitis externa, left earBillableH60.523Acute chemical otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.529Acute chemical otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.53Acute contact otitis externaNon-BillableH60.531Acute contact otitis externa, right earBillableH60.532Acute contact otitis externa, left earBillableH60.533Acute contact otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.539Acute contact otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.54Acute eczematoid otitis externaNon-BillableH60.541Acute eczematoid otitis externa, right earBillableH60.542Acute eczematoid otitis externa, left earBillableH60.543Acute eczematoid otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.549Acute eczematoid otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.55Acute reactive otitis externaNon-BillableH60.551Acute reactive otitis externa, right earBillableH60.552Acute reactive otitis externa, left earBillableH60.553Acute reactive otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.559Acute reactive otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.59Other noninfective acute otitis externaNon-BillableH60.591Other noninfective acute otitis externa, right earBillableH60.592Other noninfective acute otitis externa, left earBillableH60.593Other noninfective acute otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.599Other noninfective acute otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.6Unspecified chronic otitis externaNon-BillableH60.60Unspecified chronic otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.61Unspecified chronic otitis externa, right earBillableH60.62Unspecified chronic otitis externa, left earBillableH60.63Unspecified chronic otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.8Other otitis externaNon-BillableH60.8XOther otitis externaNon-BillableH60.8X1Other otitis externa, right earBillableH60.8X2Other otitis externa, left earBillableH60.8X3Other otitis externa, bilateralBillableH60.8X9Other otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.9Unspecified otitis externaNon-BillableH60.90Unspecified otitis externa, unspecified earBillableH60.91Unspecified otitis externa, right earBillableH60.92Unspecified otitis externa, left earBillableH60.93Unspecified otitis externa, bilateralBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H60 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H60 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H60 mean?

H60 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Otitis externa". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is H60 in?

H60 is located in Section H60-H62 — "Diseases of external ear" within Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of H60?

H60 has 9 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H60.0, H60.1, H60.2, H60.3, H60.4 and more.

When should I use H60?

Use H60 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Otitis externa" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Otitis externa?

The ICD-10-CM code for Otitis externa is H60.

Can H60 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H60 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H60 in?

H60 is in Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is H60 valid for 2026?

Yes, H60 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH59.89Other postprocedural complications and disorders of eye and adnexa, not elsewhere classifiedNext →H60.0Abscess of external ear
Code Details
H60
Otitis externa
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
8 — Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
H60-H62 — Diseases of external ear
2026 ICD-10-CM