H67.9 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from H67 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere

Excludes1 (never code together)

• otitis media in:
• influenza (J09.X9, J10.83, J11.83)
• measles (B05.3)
• scarlet fever (A38.0)
• tuberculosis (A18.6)

Code first

• underlying disease, such as:
• plasminogen deficiency (E88.02)
• viral disease NEC (B00-B34)

Use additional code

• code for any associated perforated tympanic membrane (H72.-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 152-153 in MDC 03.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 382.02 Acute suppurative otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere (approximate)

Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))

• Manifestation codes as principal diagnosis: Manifestation codes describe the manifestation of an underlying disease, not the disease itself, and are not allowed as principal diagnosis.

Code annotations containing back-references to H67.9

Back-references to H67

• Use Additional: E88.02 Plasminogen deficiency ("otitis media (H67.-)")
• Code First: H72 Perforation of tympanic membrane ("any associated otitis media (H65.-, H66.1-, H66.2-, H66.3-, H66.4-, H66.9-, H67.-)")

Nearby codes

• H67 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere
• H67.1 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, right ear
• H67.2 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, left ear
• H67.3 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, bilateral
• H67.9 Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear (this code)