FY2027
MenuClose
Excludes1 pair

H65- vs H73.1-

H65 and H73.1 are not coded together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note — the two conditions are not expected to occur together, so exactly one of them is normally correct for a given encounter. The Official Guidelines carve out one exception: if the two conditions are clearly unrelated to each other, both may be reported.

The official note, declared on H73.1
chronic myringitis with otitis media (H65, H66)
H65

Nonsuppurative otitis media

Not billable
Chapter 8
Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
Section
H65-H75
Use when the record says
  • nonsuppurative otitis media with myringitis
H73.1

Chronic myringitis

Not billable
Chapter 8
Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
Section
H65-H75
Use when the record says
  • Chronic tympanitis
Indexed under
  • Myringitis › chronic

Excludes1 is not always absolute: where two conditions covered by the note are genuinely unrelated, CMS guidance permits reporting both. Document the reasoning rather than assuming it. More on Excludes1 vs Excludes2 · FY2027