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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

H65.3Chronic mucoid otitis media

Not billable — use a more specific code

H65.3 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 4 more specific codes beneath it.

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 H65.3

H65.3 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for chronic mucoid otitis media. 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 a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 4 subcodes must be used instead.

Within H65 (nonsuppurative otitis media), H65.3 is specifically for chronic mucoid otitis media. Related codes cover acute serous otitis media (H65.0), other acute nonsuppurative otitis media (H65.1), chronic serous otitis media (H65.2), other chronic nonsuppurative otitis media (H65.4) and unspecified nonsuppurative otitis media (H65.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H65.30 (unspecified ear), H65.31 (right ear), H65.32 (left ear) and H65.33 (bilateral).

Don't report H65.3 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: adhesive middle ear disease (H74.1).

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

Specific codes under H65.3

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Chronic mucinous otitis media
  • Chronic secretory otitis media
  • Chronic transudative otitis media
  • Glue ear
Excludes1Not coded here — never report together with this code
  • adhesive middle ear disease (H74.1)

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to H65.3.

› 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.

Alphabetic index entries

1 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to H65.3.

Codes whose notes reference H65.3

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 H65.3

Is H65.3 billable?

No. H65.3 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.