H61.012 Acute perichondritis of left external ear

The ICD-10-CM code for Acute perichondritis of left external ear is H61.012 (FY2026). It is a billable, claim-ready diagnosis code.

Classification

Chapter

8: Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)

Section

H60-H62: Diseases of external ear (H60-H62)

Category H61

85 codes (64 billable)

FY2026 Status

Stable since FY2024

U.S. Hospital Utilization

• An estimated 80 U.S. inpatient stays in 2022 included H61.012 among the documented diagnoses.

Source: National Inpatient Sample (NIS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2016–2023. National survey-weighted estimates.

Official Coding Guidelines

Chapter 8 reserved for future guideline expansion

8. Chapter 8: Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60-H95) Reserved for future guideline expansion

Source: CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2026

References

• CMS — ICD-10-CM Official Code Set and Guidelines, FY2026
• CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files and Browser Tool
• AHRQ — HCUP National Inpatient Sample, Frequencies by Diagnosis Code (2016–2023)