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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

L97.901Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg limited to breakdown of skin

✓ Billable / specificCC — complication/comorbidityUnspecified — edit

L97.901 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg limited to breakdown of skin. It can be reported on claims for dates of service from October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.Short description: Non-prs chr ulc unsp prt of unsp low leg lmt to brkdwn skin

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About L97.901

L97.901 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg limited to breakdown of skin. It belongs to category L97 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified), block L80-L99 (other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue) and chapter 12 (diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within L97.90 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg), L97.901 is specifically for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg limited to breakdown of skin. Related codes cover with fat layer exposed (L97.902), with necrosis of muscle (L97.903), with necrosis of bone (L97.904), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L97.905), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L97.906), with other specified severity (L97.908) and with unspecified severity (L97.909).

Code first any associated underlying condition, such as: any associated gangrene (I96), atherosclerosis of the lower extremities (I70.23-, I70.24-, I70.33-, I70.34-, I70.43-, I70.44-, I70.53-, I70.54-, I70.63-, I70.64-, I70.73-, I70.74-), chronic venous hypertension (I87.31-, I87.33-), diabetic ulcers (E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622, E13.621, E13.622) and 3 more.

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 573 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with MCC, relative weight 6.3575), DRG 574 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with CC, relative weight 3.5674), DRG 575 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis without CC/MCC, relative weight 1.8797), DRG 592 (Skin Ulcers with MCC, relative weight 1.9101), DRG 593 (Skin Ulcers with CC, relative weight 1.1575) and DRG 594 (Skin Ulcers without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7801), in MDC 09 (Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It is an unspecified code for which a more specific option (often laterality) exists, and the Medicare Code Editor flags it for review on inpatient claims.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 707.10 (ulcer of lower limb, unspecified).

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to L97.901.

› From L97 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
Includes
  • chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
  • non-healing ulcer of skin
  • non-infected sinus of skin
  • trophic ulcer NOS
  • tropical ulcer NOS
  • ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
Excludes2
  • pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
  • skin infections (L00-L08)
  • specific infections classified to A00-B99
Code first

Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 12: Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Alphabetic index entries

2 entries

Terms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to L97.901.

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Inpatient MS-DRGs this diagnosis can group to, as the principal or a secondary diagnosis, depending on the rest of the claim.

MDC 09 · Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 707.10Ulcer of lower limb, unspecifiedapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about L97.901

Is L97.901 billable?

Yes. L97.901 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).

Can L97.901 be used as a principal diagnosis?

Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L97.901 as a principal diagnosis.

Is L97.901 a CC or MCC?

L97.901 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.

What DRG does L97.901 group to?

L97.901 is used in the MS-DRG v44.0 logic for MS-DRG 573 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with MCC), MS-DRG 574 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with CC), MS-DRG 575 (Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis without CC/MCC), MS-DRG 592 (Skin Ulcers with MCC), MS-DRG 593 (Skin Ulcers with CC) and MS-DRG 594 (Skin Ulcers without CC/MCC). Which one applies depends on whether it is the principal diagnosis and on the rest of the claim.

What is the ICD-9 code for L97.901?

The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map L97.901 to ICD-9-CM 707.10.