ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code H65.23: Chronic serous otitis media, bilateral

H65.23 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Chronic serous otitis media, bilateral in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents chronic serous otitis media, bilateral in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
8Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
block
H65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
category
H65Nonsuppurative otitis media
category
H65.2Chronic serous otitis media
currentH65.2

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

ENT Specialist

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 86005high
ALLERGEN SPECIFIC IGE; QUALITATIVE, MULTIALLERGEN SCREEN (EG, DISK, SPONGE, CARD)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 86003high
ALLERGEN SPECIFIC IGE; QUANTITATIVE OR SEMIQUANTITATIVE, CRUDE ALLERGEN EXTRACT, EACH
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 95018high
ALLERGY TESTING, ANY COMBINATION OF PERCUTANEOUS (SCRATCH, PUNCTURE, PRICK) AND INTRACUTANEOUS (INTRADERMAL), SEQUENTIAL AND INCREMENTAL, WITH DRUGS OR BIOLOGICALS, IMMEDIATE TYPE REACTION, INCLUDING TEST INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, SPECIFY NUMBER OF TESTS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 95017high
ALLERGY TESTING, ANY COMBINATION OF PERCUTANEOUS (SCRATCH, PUNCTURE, PRICK) AND INTRACUTANEOUS (INTRADERMAL), SEQUENTIAL AND INCREMENTAL, WITH VENOMS, IMMEDIATE TYPE REACTION, INCLUDING TEST INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, SPECIFY NUMBER OF TESTS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 95065high
DIRECT NASAL MUCOUS MEMBRANE TEST
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 95079high
INGESTION CHALLENGE TEST (SEQUENTIAL AND INCREMENTAL INGESTION OF TEST ITEMS, EG, FOOD, DRUG OR OTHER SUBSTANCE); EACH ADDITIONAL 60 MINUTES OF TESTING (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Chronic serous otitis media, bilateral

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeH65.23
SystemICD10
Display nameChronic serous otitis media, bilateral
ChapterDiseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
BlockDiseases of middle ear and mastoid

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code H65.23 for Chronic serous otitis media, bilateral | HealthAssure