ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for scar
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Scar, scarring”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding scar
The ICD-10-CM code for scar is L90.5 (Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin). The official index lists 27 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L90.5.
Within L90 (atrophic disorders of skin), L90.5 is specifically for scar conditions and fibrosis of skin. Related codes cover lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (L90.0), Anetoderma of Schweninger-Buzzi (L90.1), Anetoderma of Jadassohn-Pellizzari (L90.2), Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (L90.3), acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (L90.4), Striae atrophicae (L90.6), other atrophic disorders of skin (L90.8) and atrophic disorder of skin, unspecified (L90.9).
The conditions in its Excludes2 note aren't part of L90.5, but may be coded alongside it if the patient has both: hypertrophic scar (L91.0) and keloid scar (L91.0).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
More specific scar codes (official index)
- adherent L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin
- atrophic L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin
- cervix
- in pregnancy or childbirth
- cheloid L91.0 — Hypertrophic scar
- chorioretinal H31.00 — Unspecified chorioretinal scars
- posterior pole macula H31.01 — Macula scars of posterior pole (postinflammatory) (post-traumatic)
- postsurgical H59.81 — Chorioretinal scars after surgery for detachment
- solar retinopathy H31.02 — Solar retinopathy
- specified type NEC H31.09 — Other chorioretinal scars
- choroid
- conjunctiva H11.24 — Scarring of conjunctiva
- cornea H17.9 — Unspecified corneal scar and opacity
- xerophthalmic
- vitamin A deficiency E50.6 — Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea
- defect (isthmocele) O34.22 — Maternal care for cesarean scar defect (isthmocele)
- duodenum, obstructive K31.5 — Obstruction of duodenum
- hypertrophic L91.0 — Hypertrophic scar
- keloid L91.0 — Hypertrophic scar
- labia N90.89 — Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vulva and perineum
- lung (base) J98.4 — Other disorders of lung
- macula
- muscle M62.89 — Other specified disorders of muscle
- myocardium, myocardial I25.2 — Old myocardial infarction
- painful L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin
- posterior pole (eye)
- retina
- trachea J39.8 — Other specified diseases of upper respiratory tract
- transmural uterine, in pregnancy O34.29 — Maternal care due to uterine scar from other previous surgery
- uterus N85.8 — Other specified noninflammatory disorders of uterus
- in pregnancy O34.29 — Maternal care due to uterine scar from other previous surgery
- vagina N89.8 — Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vagina
- postoperative N99.2 — Postprocedural adhesions of vagina
- vulva N90.89 — Other specified noninflammatory disorders of vulva and perineum
Common questions about scar ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for scar?
- L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: L90.5, L90.5, L91.0, H31.00 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for adherent scar?
- L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin.
What is the ICD-10 code for atrophic scar?
- L90.5 — Scar conditions and fibrosis of skin.
What is the ICD-10 code for cheloid scar?
- L91.0 — Hypertrophic scar.
What is the ICD-10 code for chorioretinal scar?
- H31.00 — Unspecified chorioretinal scars (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for conjunctiva scar?
- H11.24 — Scarring of conjunctiva (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for cornea scar?
- H17.9 — Unspecified corneal scar and opacity.
Is L90.5 billable?
- Yes. L90.5 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L90.5 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L90.5 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L90.5 a CC or MCC?
- No. L90.5 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.