ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for panniculitis
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Panniculitis (nodular) (nonsuppurative)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding panniculitis
The ICD-10-CM code for panniculitis is M79.3 (Panniculitis, unspecified). The official index lists 16 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on M79.3.
Within M79, choose M79.3 (Panniculitis, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: rheumatism, unspecified (M79.0), myalgia (M79.1), neuralgia and neuritis, unspecified (M79.2), hypertrophy of (infrapatellar) fat pad (M79.4), residual foreign body in soft tissue (M79.5), pain in limb, hand, foot, fingers and toes (M79.6), Fibromyalgia (M79.7), other specified soft tissue disorders (M79.8) and 2 more.
Don't report M79.3 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: lupus panniculitis (L93.2), neck and back panniculitis (M54.0-) and relapsing [Weber-Christian] panniculitis (M35.6).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
More specific panniculitis codes (official index)
- back M54.00 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, site unspecified
- cervical region M54.02 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M54.03 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic region
- lumbar region M54.06 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbar region
- lumbosacral region M54.07 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, lumbosacral region
- multiple sites M54.09 — Panniculitis affecting regions, neck and back, multiple sites in spine
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M54.01 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- sacrococcygeal region M54.08 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
- thoracic region M54.04 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracic region
- thoracolumbar region M54.05 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, thoracolumbar region
- lupus L93.2 — Other local lupus erythematosus
- mesenteric K65.4 — Sclerosing mesenteritis
- neck M54.02 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical region
- cervicothoracic region M54.03 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervicothoracic region
- occipito-atlanto-axial region M54.01 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, occipito-atlanto-axial region
- relapsing M35.6 — Relapsing panniculitis [Weber-Christian]
Don't confuse with (Excludes1 for M79.3)
Common questions about panniculitis ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for panniculitis?
- M79.3 — Panniculitis, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: M54.00, M54.02, M54.03, M54.06 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for back panniculitis?
- M54.00 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, site unspecified.
What is the ICD-10 code for lupus panniculitis?
- L93.2 — Other local lupus erythematosus.
What is the ICD-10 code for mesenteric panniculitis?
- K65.4 — Sclerosing mesenteritis.
What is the ICD-10 code for neck panniculitis?
- M54.02 — Panniculitis affecting regions of neck and back, cervical region.
What is the ICD-10 code for relapsing panniculitis?
- M35.6 — Relapsing panniculitis [Weber-Christian].
Is M79.3 billable?
- Yes. M79.3 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can M79.3 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict M79.3 as a principal diagnosis.
Is M79.3 a CC or MCC?
- No. M79.3 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.