ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code
L98.461Non-pressure chronic ulcer of face limited to breakdown of skin
L98.461 is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for non-pressure chronic ulcer of face 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-pressure chronic ulcer of face limited to brkdwn skin
Code last changed in FY2026 (effective October 1, 2025). Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About L98.461
L98.461 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of face limited to breakdown of skin. It belongs to category L98 (other disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue, 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 L98.46 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of face), L98.461 is specifically for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of face limited to breakdown of skin. Related codes cover with fat layer exposed (L98.462), with necrosis of muscle (L98.463), with necrosis of bone (L98.464), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.465), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.466), with other specified severity (L98.468) and with unspecified severity (L98.469).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
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 was added in FY2026, effective October 1, 2025.
Notes that apply from higher levels
Instructions written at a parent level also apply to L98.461.
Broader instructions also apply from Chapter 12: Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Alphabetic index entries
1 entriesTerms in the official ICD-10-CM index that lead to L98.461.
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
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2026 (effective 10/1/2025): Added
- No changes since FY2026.
Common questions about L98.461
Is L98.461 billable?
- Yes. L98.461 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L98.461 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L98.461 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L98.461 a CC or MCC?
- No. L98.461 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.
What DRG does L98.461 group to?
- L98.461 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.