H65 vs H73.1
H65 and H73.1 can never be reported together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note, meaning the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient — so exactly one of them is correct for any given encounter.
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