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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

H65.02Acute serous otitis media, left ear

✓ Billable / specific

H65.02 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for acute serous otitis media, left ear. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About H65.02

H65.02 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute serous otitis media, left ear. It belongs to category H65 (nonsuppurative otitis media), block H65-H75 (diseases of middle ear and mastoid) and chapter 8 (diseases of the ear and mastoid process). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within H65.0 (acute serous otitis media), H65.02 is specifically for acute serous otitis media, left ear. Related codes cover unspecified ear (H65.00), right ear (H65.01), bilateral (H65.03), recurrent, right ear (H65.04), recurrent, left ear (H65.05), recurrent, bilateral (H65.06) and recurrent, unspecified ear (H65.07).

Use an additional code for any associated perforated tympanic membrane (H72.-). Use an additional code, if applicable, to identify: exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22), exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81), history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891), infectious agent (B95-B97), occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31) and 2 more.

It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 152 (Otitis Media and URI with MCC, relative weight 1.1151) and DRG 153 (Otitis Media and URI without MCC, relative weight 0.7421), in MDC 03 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 381.01 (acute serous otitis media).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to H65.02.

› From H65 Nonsuppurative otitis media
Includes
  • nonsuppurative otitis media with myringitis
Use additional code
  • code for any associated perforated tympanic membrane (H72.-)
  • code, if applicable, to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • infectious agent (B95-B97)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 8: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

MDC 03 · Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 381.01Acute serous otitis mediaapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about H65.02

Is H65.02 billable?

Yes. H65.02 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can H65.02 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict H65.02 as a principal diagnosis.

Is H65.02 a CC or MCC?

No. H65.02 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does H65.02 group to?

H65.02 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 152 (Otitis Media and URI with MCC) and MS-DRG 153 (Otitis Media and URI without MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for H65.02?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map H65.02 to ICD-9-CM 381.01.