ICD-10 code for skin infection

The ICD-10-CM code for skin infection is L08.9 (Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified). The official index lists 5 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L08.9.

Within L08, choose L08.9 (Local infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: pyoderma (L08.0), Erythrasma (L08.1) and other specified local infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L08.8).

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 602 (Cellulitis with MCC, relative weight 1.4273), DRG 603 (Cellulitis without MCC, relative weight 0.8635) and DRG 795 (Normal Newborn, relative weight 0.2022), in MDC 09 (Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.