H61.3
Non-Billable

Acquired stenosis of external ear canal

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acquired stenosis of external ear canal?

ICD-10-CM H61.3 is the diagnosis code for Acquired stenosis of external ear canal. 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.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for H61.3

✅ This Code Includes

  • Collapse of external ear canal

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as H61.3. They are mutually exclusive:

  • postprocedural stenosis of external ear canal (H95.81-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where H61.3 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Current CodeH61.3 — Acquired stenosis of external ear canal
Sub-Codes 4 entries
H61.30Acquired stenosis of external ear canal, unspecifiedNon-BillableH61.301Acquired stenosis of right external ear canal, unspecifiedBillableH61.302Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal, unspecifiedBillableH61.303Acquired stenosis of external ear canal, unspecified, bilateralBillableH61.309Acquired stenosis of external ear canal, unspecified, unspecified earBillableH61.31Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to traumaNon-BillableH61.311Acquired stenosis of right external ear canal secondary to traumaBillableH61.312Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to traumaBillableH61.313Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to trauma, bilateralBillableH61.319Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to trauma, unspecified earBillableH61.32Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infectionNon-BillableH61.321Acquired stenosis of right external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infectionBillableH61.322Acquired stenosis of left external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infectionBillableH61.323Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection, bilateralBillableH61.329Acquired stenosis of external ear canal secondary to inflammation and infection, unspecified earBillableH61.39Other acquired stenosis of external ear canalNon-BillableH61.391Other acquired stenosis of right external ear canalBillableH61.392Other acquired stenosis of left external ear canalBillableH61.393Other acquired stenosis of external ear canal, bilateralBillableH61.399Other acquired stenosis of external ear canal, unspecified earBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H61.3 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H61.3 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H61.3 mean?

H61.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acquired stenosis of external ear canal". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of H61.3?

The parent code of H61.3 is H61 ("Other disorders of external ear"). H61.3 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is H61.3 in?

H61.3 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 H61.3?

H61.3 has 4 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H61.30, H61.31, H61.32, H61.39.

When should I use H61.3?

Use H61.3 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acquired stenosis of external ear canal" 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 Acquired stenosis of external ear canal?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acquired stenosis of external ear canal is H61.3.

Can H61.3 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H61.3 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H61.3 in?

H61.3 is in Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from H61.3?

Type 1 Excludes for H61.3 include: postprocedural stenosis of external ear canal (H95.81-).

Is H61.3 valid for 2026?

Yes, H61.3 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH61.23Impacted cerumen, bilateralNext →H61.30Acquired stenosis of external ear canal, unspecified
Code Details
H61.3
Acquired stenosis of external ear canal
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