ICD-10 Code H66.01 – Acute suppurative otitis media with spontaneous rupture of ear drum (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code H66.01 – Acute suppurative otitis media with spontaneous rupture of ear drum
What it is
This code identifies an acute middle-ear infection with pus and a spontaneous tear in the tympanic membrane. Use it when documentation clearly states suppurative otitis media with ear drum rupture.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include ear pain, fever, and otorrhea after membrane perforation. You may also see reduced hearing or a recent history of acute ear infection; clinical features vary, so refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use H66.01 when the provider documents acute suppurative otitis media and specifies that the ear drum ruptured spontaneously. It fits encounters where the rupture is part of the infection, not a traumatic injury or a postoperative finding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for otitis media without rupture, chronic ear disease, or traumatic tympanic membrane perforation. Check documentation if the record does not clearly link the rupture to the acute infection.
Coding tip
Confirm both “acute suppurative otitis media” and “spontaneous rupture” are documented before assigning H66.01.