H62.40 (Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear) compared with H62.42 (Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, left ear), from the official CMS tabular data. H62.40 and H62.42 code the same condition on opposite sides.
Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.
These codes share a category and title and differ only in the side affected. The documentation decides which applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.
Source: ICD-10-CM tabular list (laterality variant derived from the code title)
Same condition, opposite side. H62.40 and H62.42 name the same condition on opposite sides of the body.
Same category and title, differing only in which side is affected — the documentation decides which one applies, and a bilateral code is reported only where the code set provides one.
| H62.40Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear | H62.42Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, left ear | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | H60-H95 — Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60-H95) | H60-H95 — Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60-H95) |
| Definition | Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, unspecified ear is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (H62.40). | Otitis externa in other diseases classified elsewhere, left ear is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (H62.42). |
| Code first | underlying disease, such as: erysipelas (A46) | underlying disease, such as: erysipelas (A46) |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources