ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for forearm ulcer
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with unspecified severity
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › forearm”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding forearm ulcer
The ICD-10-CM code for forearm ulcer is L98.A299 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with unspecified severity). The official index lists 23 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L98.A299.
Within L98.A29, choose L98.A299 (with unspecified severity) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: limited to breakdown of skin (L98.A291), with fat layer exposed (L98.A292), with necrosis of muscle (L98.A293), with necrosis of bone (L98.A294), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.A295), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.A296) and with other specified severity (L98.A298).
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 forearm ulcer codes (official index)
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A296 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.A294 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.A292 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A295 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.A293 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.A291 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.A298 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with other specified severity
- left L98.A229 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with unspecified severity
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A226 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.A224 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.A222 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A225 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.A223 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.A221 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.A228 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with other specified severity
- right L98.A219 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with unspecified severity
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A216 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.A214 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.A212 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.A215 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.A213 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.A211 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.A218 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with other specified severity
Common questions about forearm ulcer ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for forearm ulcer?
- L98.A299 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified forearm with unspecified severity. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: L98.A296, L98.A294, L98.A292, L98.A295 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for left forearm ulcer?
- L98.A229 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left forearm with unspecified severity.
What is the ICD-10 code for right forearm ulcer?
- L98.A219 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right forearm with unspecified severity.
Is L98.A299 billable?
- Yes. L98.A299 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L98.A299 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L98.A299 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L98.A299 a CC or MCC?
- No. L98.A299 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.