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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

L98.A29Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm

Not billable — use a more specific code

L98.A29 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 8 more specific codes beneath it.

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.A29

L98.A29 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm. 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 a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 8 subcodes must be used instead.

Within L98.A2, choose L98.A29 (unspecified forearm) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: right forearm (L98.A21) and left forearm (L98.A22).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: L98.A291 (limited to breakdown of skin), L98.A292 (with fat layer exposed), L98.A293 (with necrosis of muscle), L98.A294 (with necrosis of bone), L98.A295 (with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis), L98.A296 (with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis), L98.A298 (with other specified severity) and L98.A299 (with unspecified severity).

It was added in FY2026, effective October 1, 2025.

Specific codes under L98.A29

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to L98.A29.

› From L98.A Non-pressure chronic ulcer of upper limb, not elsewhere classified
Excludes2
  • gangrene (I96)
  • pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
  • skin infections (L00-L08)
  • specific infections classified to A00-B99
  • ulcer of lower limb NEC (L97.-)
  • varicose ulcer (I83.0-I83.93)

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

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
  • FY2026 (effective 10/1/2025): Added
  • No changes since FY2026.

Common questions about L98.A29

Is L98.A29 billable?

No. L98.A29 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.