ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for neck ulcer
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › neck”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding neck ulcer
The ICD-10-CM code for neck ulcer is L98.459 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with unspecified severity). The official index lists 8 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L98.459.
Within L98.45, choose L98.459 (with unspecified severity) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: limited to breakdown of skin (L98.451), with fat layer exposed (L98.452), with necrosis of muscle (L98.453), with necrosis of bone (L98.454), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.455), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.456) and with other specified severity (L98.458).
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 neck ulcer codes (official index)
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.456 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.454 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.452 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.455 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.453 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.451 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.458 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with other specified severity
- uterus N86 — Erosion and ectropion of cervix uteri
Common questions about neck ulcer ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for neck ulcer?
- L98.459 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of neck with unspecified severity. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: L98.456, L98.454, L98.452, L98.455 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for uterus neck ulcer?
- N86 — Erosion and ectropion of cervix uteri.
Is L98.459 billable?
- Yes. L98.459 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L98.459 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L98.459 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L98.459 a CC or MCC?
- No. L98.459 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.