H66.017

What This Code Means

This code describes a recurring ear infection with pus buildup that causes the eardrum to rupture on its own, but the specific ear affected is not documented. The infection is acute (sudden onset) rather than chronic.

Coding Tips

• •Verify documentation specifies 'recurrent' episodes and 'spontaneous rupture' before assigning this code; if the ear is documented as right, left, or bilateral, use the more specific code (H66.011 or H66.012) instead of the unspecified version
• •This code includes both the acute suppurative otitis media diagnosis and the spontaneous perforation, so do not code the perforation separately