H60.5
Non-Billable

Acute noninfective otitis externa

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Acute noninfective otitis externa?

ICD-10-CM H60.5 is the diagnosis code for Acute noninfective 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 H60.5

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 H60.5 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 7 entries
H60.50Unspecified 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 earBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is H60.5 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, H60.5 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does H60.5 mean?

H60.5 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Acute noninfective otitis externa". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of H60.5?

The parent code of H60.5 is H60 ("Otitis externa"). H60.5 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is H60.5 in?

H60.5 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 H60.5?

H60.5 has 7 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: H60.50, H60.51, H60.52, H60.53, H60.54 and more.

When should I use H60.5?

Use H60.5 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Acute noninfective 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 Acute noninfective otitis externa?

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute noninfective otitis externa is H60.5.

Can H60.5 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, H60.5 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is H60.5 in?

H60.5 is in Chapter 8 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

Is H60.5 valid for 2026?

Yes, H60.5 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousH60.43Cholesteatoma of external ear, bilateralNext →H60.50Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa
Code Details
H60.5
Acute noninfective 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