ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for externa otitis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Otitis (acute) › externa”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding externa otitis
The ICD-10-CM code for externa otitis is H60.9 (Unspecified otitis externa). The official index lists 31 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on H60.9.
Within H60, choose H60.9 (Unspecified otitis externa) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: abscess of external ear (H60.0), cellulitis of external ear (H60.1), malignant otitis externa (H60.2), other infective otitis externa (H60.3), cholesteatoma of external ear (H60.4), acute noninfective otitis externa (H60.5), unspecified chronic otitis externa (H60.6) and other otitis externa (H60.8).
To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: H60.90 (unspecified ear), H60.91 (right ear), H60.92 (left ear) and H60.93 (bilateral).
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 externa otitis codes (official index)
- abscess
- acute (noninfective) H60.50 — Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa
- actinic H60.51 — Acute actinic otitis externa
- chemical H60.52 — Acute chemical otitis externa
- contact H60.53 — Acute contact otitis externa
- eczematoid H60.54 — Acute eczematoid otitis externa
- infective
- reactive H60.55 — Acute reactive otitis externa
- specified NEC H60.59 — Other noninfective acute otitis externa
- cellulitis
- chronic H60.6 — Unspecified chronic otitis externa
- diffuse
- hemorrhagic
- in (due to)
- aspergillosis B44.89 — Other forms of aspergillosis
- candidiasis B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa
- erysipelas A46 — Erysipelas
- herpes (simplex) virus infection B00.1 — Herpesviral vesicular dermatitis
- zoster B02.8 — Zoster with other complications
- impetigo L01.00 — Impetigo, unspecified
- infectious disease NEC B99 — Other and unspecified infectious diseases
- mycosis NEC B36.9 — Superficial mycosis, unspecified
- parasitic disease NEC B89 — Unspecified parasitic disease
- viral disease NEC B34.9 — Viral infection, unspecified
- zoster B02.8 — Zoster with other complications
- infective NEC H60.39 — Other infective otitis externa
- abscess
- cellulitis
- diffuse H60.31 — Diffuse otitis externa
- hemorrhagic H60.32 — Hemorrhagic otitis externa
- swimmer's ear
- malignant H60.2 — Malignant otitis externa
- mycotic NEC B36.9 — Superficial mycosis, unspecified
- in
- aspergillosis B44.89 — Other forms of aspergillosis
- candidiasis B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa
- moniliasis B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa
- necrotizing
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- reactive
- specified NEC
- tropical NEC B36.9 — Superficial mycosis, unspecified
- in
- aspergillosis B44.89 — Other forms of aspergillosis
- candidiasis B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa
- moniliasis B37.84 — Candidal otitis externa
Common questions about externa otitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for externa otitis?
- H60.9 — Unspecified otitis externa (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: H60.50, H60.51, H60.52, H60.53 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for acute externa otitis?
- H60.50 — Unspecified acute noninfective otitis externa (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for chronic externa otitis?
- H60.6 — Unspecified chronic otitis externa (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for infective nec externa otitis?
- H60.39 — Other infective otitis externa (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for malignant externa otitis?
- H60.2 — Malignant otitis externa (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for mycotic nec externa otitis?
- B36.9 — Superficial mycosis, unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for tropical nec externa otitis?
- B36.9 — Superficial mycosis, unspecified.
Is H60.9 billable?
- No. H60.9 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.