ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for ear external perichondritis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Perichondritis › ear (external)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding ear external perichondritis
The ICD-10-CM code for ear external perichondritis is H61.00 (Unspecified perichondritis of external ear). The official index lists 2 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on H61.00.
Within H61.0, choose H61.00 (Unspecified perichondritis of external ear) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: acute perichondritis of external ear (H61.01), chronic perichondritis of external ear (H61.02) and Chondritis of external ear (H61.03).
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H61.001 (ear), H61.002 (ear), H61.003 (bilateral) and H61.009 (unspecified ear).
It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.
More specific ear external perichondritis codes (official index)
Common questions about ear external perichondritis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for ear external perichondritis?
- H61.00 — Unspecified perichondritis of external ear (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: H61.01, H61.02.
What is the ICD-10 code for acute ear external perichondritis?
- H61.01 — Acute perichondritis of external ear (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for chronic ear external perichondritis?
- H61.02 — Chronic perichondritis of external ear (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is H61.00 billable?
- No. H61.00 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.