ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H66.90 - Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear (original) (raw)

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ICD List 2025-2026 Edition

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Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear

ICD-10-CM Code:

H66.90

ICD-10 Code for:

Otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear

Is Billable?

Yes - Valid for Submission

Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]

Not chronic

Code Navigator:

H66.90 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of otitis media, unspecified, unspecified ear. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

This medical diagnosis code is frequently used in Pediatrics medical specialties to designate conditions such otitis media, unspecified.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like H66.90 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

  1. Code Information
  2. Approximate Synonyms
  3. Clinical Classification
  4. Clinical Information
  5. Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
  6. Index to Diseases and Injuries References
  8. Diagnostic Related Groups Mapping
  9. Convert to ICD-9 Code
  10. Patient Education
  11. Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
  12. Code History

The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.

Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.

They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.

CCSR Code: EAR001

Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinth).

inflammation of the ear, which may be marked by pain (earache), fever, hearing disorders, and vertigo. inflammation of the external ear is otitis externa; of the middle ear, otitis media; of the inner ear, labyrinthitis.

inflammation of the outer ear including the external ear canal, cartilages of the auricle (ear cartilage), and the tympanic membrane.

inflammation of the middle ear including the auditory ossicles and the eustachian tube.

inflammation of the middle ear with a clear pale yellow-colored transudate.

inflammation of the middle ear with purulent discharge.

discharge of cerebrospinal fluid through the external auditory meatus or through the eustachian tube into the nasopharynx. this is usually associated with craniocerebral trauma (e.g., skull fracture involving the temporal bone;), neurosurgical procedures; or other conditions, but may rarely occur spontaneously. (from am j otol 1995 nov;16(6):765-71)

discharge of cerebrospinal fluid through the ear structures.

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.

ICD-9-CM: 382.9

Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their child to a doctor. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday. Adults can also get ear infections, but they are less common.

The infection usually affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid.

If your child isn't old enough to say "My ear hurts," here are a few things to look for:

Your health care provider will diagnose an ear infection by looking inside the ear with an instrument called an otoscope.

Often, ear infections go away on their own. Your health care provider may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics.

Children who get infections often may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]