ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
L97.902Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with fat layer exposed
L97.902 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with fat layer exposed. 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 w fat layer exposed
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 L97.902
L97.902 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with fat layer exposed. 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), L97.902 is specifically for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg with fat layer exposed. Related codes cover limited to breakdown of skin (L97.901), 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 L97.902.
› From L97 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
- 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
- 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)
- postphlebitic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-)
- postthrombotic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-)
- varicose ulcer (I83.0-, I83.2-)
Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 12: Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Alphabetic index entries
2 entriesTerms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to L97.902.
- Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › lower limb (atrophic) (chronic) (neurogenic) (perforating) (pyogenic) (trophic) (tropical) › with › exposed fat layer
- Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › lower limb (atrophic) (chronic) (neurogenic) (perforating) (pyogenic) (trophic) (tropical) › lower leg NOS › with › exposed fat layer
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
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
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about L97.902
Is L97.902 billable?
- Yes. L97.902 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L97.902 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L97.902 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L97.902 a CC or MCC?
- L97.902 is a CC (complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.
What DRG does L97.902 group to?
- L97.902 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 L97.902?
- The CMS General Equivalence Mappings map L97.902 to ICD-9-CM 707.10.