Top 10 ICD-10 Codes for Ear Pain (Right, Left, Bilateral) – 2025 Guide

Woman experiencing ear pain, ICD-10 Codes for Ear Pain.

Ear pain, or otalgia, is one of the most common reasons patients visit urgent care or ENT clinics. Whether in the left ear, right ear, or both, choosing the correct ICD-10 code for ear pain is essential for accurate documentation, clean billing, and faster insurance approval.

In this 2025 coding guide, we break down the top ICD-10 codes for ear pain, including chronic cases, bilateral discomfort, and pregnancy situations. If you’re a provider, biller, or medical coder, this post will help you avoid denials and stay fully compliant.

What is the ICD-10 Code for Ear Pain?

The general ICD-10 code for ear pain is H92.0, categorized under otalgia, which refers to pain in the ear. This code group is further divided by laterality, left, right, or bilateral.

ICD-10 Code for Right Ear Pain – H92.01

If a patient presents with pain in the right ear, the correct diagnosis code is:

  • H92.01 – Otalgia, right ear

This is one of the most searched codes for good reason. It’s used frequently in outpatient ENT clinics, primary care, and pediatrics. Not coding laterality can result in claim rejections or downcoding, so always specify the ear involved.

ICD-10 Code for Left Ear Pain – H92.02

Similarly, for left ear pain, the code you’ll need is:

  • H92.02 – Otalgia, left ear

This code is particularly important in older patients or those with chronic conditions, where documentation of laterality helps track recurring issues or treatment effectiveness.

ICD-10 Code for Bilateral Ear Pain – H92.03

When both ears are hurting, the accurate ICD-10 code is:

  • H92.03 – Otalgia, bilateral

This code is vital when the diagnosis includes middle ear infections, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or barotrauma that affects both ears. Always make sure the documentation supports bilateral symptoms.

Chronic Ear Pain ICD-10 Code

Now, let’s say the patient has chronic otalgia with no underlying infection or structural issue. In that case, while ICD-10 doesn’t provide a specific chronic ear pain code, you can pair H92.01, H92.02, or H92.03 with a chronic pain modifier (like G89.29) if medically necessary.

Always check payer-specific guidelines before pairing chronic pain codes with otalgia.

ICD-10 Code for Earache (Unspecified Laterality)

Sometimes, documentation might be vague, especially in telemedicine visits or walk-in clinics. If the provider doesn’t document which ear hurts, use:

  • H92.09 – Otalgia, unspecified ear

However, this code is less ideal for billing. Insurers increasingly require specificity, so encourage providers to document clearly.

ICD-10 Code for Ear Pain in Pregnancy

If a pregnant patient complains of ear pain, you may need to code both the ear pain and the pregnancy-related complication. For example:

  • H92.01 + O26.891 – Other specified pregnancy-related conditions, first trimester

Update the trimester as needed. Use a combination of the ear pain ICD-10 code and the pregnancy complication code to support accurate claims.

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ICD-10 Code for Otalgia (Medical Term for Ear Pain)

The term “otalgia” is simply the clinical term for ear pain. All H92.0x codes listed above are grouped under otalgia ICD-10 codes. You might also come across these variations:

  • Right otalgia ICD-10 → H92.01
  • Left otalgia ICD-10 → H92.02
  • Bilateral otalgia ICD-10 → H92.03

Tip: Always use the term that matches the provider’s documentation to support your coding choices.

Ear Pain ICD-10 Coding Cheat Sheet

Condition

ICD-10 Code

Description

Right Ear Pain

H92.01

Otalgia, right ear

Left Ear Pain

H92.02

Otalgia, left ear

Bilateral Ear Pain

H92.03

Otalgia, both ears

Unspecified Ear Pain

H92.09

Otalgia, unspecified ear

Chronic Ear Pain

H92.01–H92.03 + G89.29 (if applicable)

Use with caution, based on documentation

Ear Pain in Pregnancy

H92.0x + O26.891

Add trimester code

Otalgia (general term)

H92.0x

Use based on the affected ear

Avoiding Denials - Ear Pain ICD-10 Coding Tips

To reduce billing errors:

  • Use the most specific code possible (laterality matters)
  • Avoid unspecified codes (H92.09) unless absolutely necessary
  • Add supporting documentation (symptoms, duration, chronicity)
  • Pair with modifiers or secondary codes for complex cases

If your claim is denied, check the payer’s LCD/NCD (Local or National Coverage Determination) to verify if supporting diagnoses or documentation are required.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, using the correct ICD-10 code for ear pain is more than just selecting a number; it’s about understanding the full clinical picture and aligning it with coding rules for 2025. Whether you’re dealing with a simple earache or complex bilateral otalgia during pregnancy, this guide ensures your codes are clean, your claims go through, and your revenue stays healthy.
Need help with ENT or primary care billing? CuresMB offers accurate, affordable medical coding and billing services for clinics of all sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Use O99.89 alongside trimester-specific obstetric codes (e.g., Z3A.00 for first trimester).

Yes. Use H93.1X9 (tinnitus) and H92.0-* for pain if both are documented.

H92.031 (chronic bilateral otalgia). Always confirm chronicity in patient records.

  • CodeH92.09 (Otalgia, unspecified ear)
  • Notes:
    • Only use if the provider does not document laterality.
    • CMS may reject claims if laterality is missing without justification.
  • CodeS09.93- (Unspecified injury of ear, initial encounter)
  • Notes:
    • Use S00.4- series for superficial injuries (e.g., abrasions).
    • For traumatic perforation, use S09.2-.
    • Always specify laterality (e.g., S09.931 for right ear injury)
  • CodeME64.0 (Otalgia)
  • Notes:
    • ICD-11 requires additional qualifiers:
      • ME64.00 (Acute otalgia).
      • ME64.01 (Chronic otalgia).
    • Pair with causative codes (e.g., AB70 for otitis media).
  • CodeH92.01 (Otalgia, right ear)
  • Notes:
    • Use for non-infectious pain (e.g., TMJ disorders, trauma).
    • For infections, code the underlying condition (e.g., H66.90 for otitis media).

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