H60.4 – Cholesteatoma of external ear

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Diseases of external ear

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code H60.4

Code: H60.4 (claims format: H604)
Description: Cholesteatoma of external ear
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 8. Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
Block: H60-H62 Diseases of external ear
Parent codes: H60

Billable codes under H60.4

H60.4 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

H60.40 – Cholesteatoma of external ear, unspecified earBillable
H60.41 – Cholesteatoma of right external earBillable
H60.42 – Cholesteatoma of left external earBillable
H60.43 – Cholesteatoma of external ear, bilateralBillable

Notes for H60.4

Applicable to:

Keratosis obturans of external ear (canal)

Excludes2 (not included here):

cholesteatoma of middle ear (H71.-)
recurrent cholesteatoma of postmastoidectomy cavity (H95.0-)

Index terms for H60.4

Entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index that lead to this code:

Cholesteatoma, external ear

Related codes in H60

H60.0 – Abscess of external earHeader
H60.1 – Cellulitis of external earHeader
H60.2 – Malignant otitis externaHeader
H60.3 – Other infective otitis externaHeader
H60.5 – Acute noninfective otitis externaHeader
H60.6 – Unspecified chronic otitis externaHeader
H60.8 – Other otitis externaHeader
H60.9 – Unspecified otitis externaHeader

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code H60.4?

H60.4 is the ICD-10-CM code for cholesteatoma of external ear, in the block H60-H62 (Diseases of external ear).

Is H60.4 a billable code?

No. H60.4 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

What category does H60.4 belong to?

It belongs to category H60 – Otitis externa.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.