Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Tinnitus(H93.11, H93.12, H93.13, H93.19)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Tinnitus. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Ringing in the earsEar noise

Quick Navigation

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Tinnitus

H93.1-H93.APrimary Range

ICD-10 codes for tinnitus, including laterality and pulsatile types

This range includes all primary codes for tinnitus, specifying laterality and type.

H91.0

ICD-10 codes for ototoxic hearing loss

Used when tinnitus is secondary to ototoxic drug exposure.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
H93.11Tinnitus, right earUse when tinnitus is confirmed in the right ear.
  • Documented complaint of tinnitus in the right ear
H93.12Tinnitus, left earUse when tinnitus is confirmed in the left ear.
  • Documented complaint of tinnitus in the left ear
H93.13Tinnitus, bilateralUse when tinnitus is confirmed in both ears.
  • Documented complaint of tinnitus in both ears
H93.19Tinnitus, unspecified earUse when the affected ear(s) cannot be determined.
  • Documented complaint of tinnitus without specified ear

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for tinnitus

Essential facts and insights about Tinnitus

The ICD-10 codes for tinnitus include H93.11 for right ear, H93.12 for left ear, and H93.13 for bilateral. Use H93.19 if unspecified.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for tinnitus

H93.11
Tinnitus, right ear
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient reports tinnitus specifically in the right ear.

Applicable To

  • Ringing in the right ear

Excludes

  • Pulsatile tinnitus (H93.A1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented complaint of tinnitus in the right ear

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect laterality documentation

Coding Notes

  • Ensure laterality is documented accurately.
View Full Code Details

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Pulsatile tinnitus, right ear

H93.A1
Use when tinnitus is described as synchronous with heartbeat.

Pulsatile tinnitus, left ear

H93.A2
Use when tinnitus is described as synchronous with heartbeat.

Pulsatile tinnitus, bilateral

H93.A3
Use when tinnitus is described as synchronous with heartbeat.

Pulsatile tinnitus, unspecified ear

H93.A9
Use when tinnitus is described as synchronous with heartbeat.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Tinnitus to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code H93.11.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Ask patient about heartbeat-synchronous tinnitus, Document findings clearly

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials or reduced reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of health records.

Mitigation Strategy

Confirm and document the specific ear(s) affected.

Impact

Using unspecified codes when laterality is known.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure thorough documentation of affected ear(s).

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Tinnitus, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Tinnitus

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Tinnitus. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Tinnitus with ototoxic hearing loss

Specialty: Otolaryngology

Required Elements

  • Laterality
  • Type of tinnitus
  • Duration
  • Associated symptoms

Example Documentation

Patient presents with bilateral tinnitus and ototoxic hearing loss due to cisplatin.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Tinnitus present.
Good Documentation Example
Bilateral, non-pulsatile tinnitus with pitch match at 3000 Hz and loudness match at 10 dB SL.
Explanation
The good example specifies laterality, type, and audiometric data.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Tinnitus? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more

Helpful Links

How ICD 10 AI Lookup WorksContact UsPrivacy Policy