H67.9
Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear
H67.9 (also written H679) is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. It is one of the 4 codes in category H67 (Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere). Its coding notes include a Code first instruction, a Use additional code instruction, 5 Excludes1 entries and 8 Excludes2 entries.
Code first
If the underlying condition listed here is present and known, sequence it first.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
Excludes1
Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (8 notes)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Care settings
How CMS programs treat this code. These are CMS claim edits and list entries, not coverage or eligibility rules.
Hospice: not accepted as primary
Not accepted as the principal diagnosis on a hospice claim (bill types 081x and 082x). The Integrated OCE returns an edit for this code.
Reason: Manifestation code. Report the underlying condition first (see the Code first note).
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- Use an external cause code following the code for the ear condition, if applicable, to identify the cause of the ear condition