ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for chest ulcer
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › chest”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding chest ulcer
The ICD-10-CM code for chest ulcer is L98.449 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with unspecified severity). The official index lists 7 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L98.449.
Within L98.44, choose L98.449 (with unspecified severity) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: limited to breakdown of skin (L98.441), with fat layer exposed (L98.442), with necrosis of muscle (L98.443), with necrosis of bone (L98.444), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.445), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.446) and with other specified severity (L98.448).
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.
More specific chest ulcer codes (official index)
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.446 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.444 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.442 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.445 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.443 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.441 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.448 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with other specified severity
Common questions about chest ulcer ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for chest ulcer?
- L98.449 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of chest with unspecified severity. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: L98.446, L98.444, L98.442, L98.445 and others below.
Is L98.449 billable?
- Yes. L98.449 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L98.449 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L98.449 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L98.449 a CC or MCC?
- No. L98.449 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.