2025 ICD-10-CM code H60.5
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the ear and mastoid process - Diseases of external ear Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95) Feed
Acute noninfective otitis externa. This condition refers to inflammation of the outer ear not caused by an infection.
Medical necessity for treatment of H60.5 is established by the presence of signs and symptoms that impact the patient's quality of life or pose a risk of complications.This may include significant pain, itching, inflammation, or hearing impairment. The documentation should clearly link the diagnosis and the need for intervention.
Clinicians responsible for diagnosing and managing H60.5 should perform a thorough ear examination, obtain a detailed history including possible exposures to irritants, and distinguish non-infectious otitis externa from infectious otitis externa and other ear conditions.They are responsible for educating patients on preventative measures and providing appropriate treatment and follow-up care.
In simple words: Swimmer's ear, but not caused by an infection. Instead, it's caused by irritation from chemicals, radiation, or skin problems like eczema.
Acute noninfective otitis externa is an inflammatory condition of the outer ear (including the auricle and ear canal) that is not caused by an infectious agent. It may be caused by exposure to chemicals, radiation, eczema, or other reactive processes.The inflammation may be associated with symptoms such as itching, pain, and temporary hearing loss.
Example 1: A patient presents with ear pain, itching, and redness after swimming in a chlorinated pool. Examination reveals inflammation of the ear canal, with no evidence of infection.The diagnosis is acute noninfective otitis externa due to chemical irritation., A patient undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer develops redness and inflammation of the outer ear.The diagnosis is acute noninfective otitis externa due to radiation exposure., A patient with a history of eczema presents with itchy, scaly, and inflamed skin in the ear canal. The diagnosis is acute noninfective otitis externa of an eczematous nature.
Documentation should include the clinical findings supporting the diagnosis of non-infectious otitis externa, including the presence of inflammation, any associated symptoms (e.g., itching, pain, hearing loss), and the suspected cause (e.g., chemical exposure, radiation, eczema).Absence of signs and symptoms of infection (such as fever, purulent discharge) should also be noted.
** Excludes2: 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).
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Primary Care
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home