ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for skin ulcer
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative › skin (atrophic) (chronic) (neurogenic) (non-healing) (perforating) (pyogenic) (trophic) (tropical)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding skin ulcer
The ICD-10-CM code for skin ulcer is L98.499 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity). The official index lists 11 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on L98.499.
Within L98.49, choose L98.499 (with unspecified severity) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: limited to breakdown of skin (L98.491), with fat layer exposed (L98.492), with necrosis of muscle (L98.493), with necrosis of bone (L98.494), with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.495), with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis (L98.496) and with other specified severity (L98.498).
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 skin ulcer codes (official index)
- with gangrene
- amebic A06.7 — Cutaneous amebiasis
- back
- buttock
- decubitus
- lower limb
- mycobacterial A31.1 — Cutaneous mycobacterial infection
- specified site NEC L98.499 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity
- with
- bone involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.496 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis
- bone necrosis L98.494 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with necrosis of bone
- exposed fat layer L98.492 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with fat layer exposed
- muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis L98.495 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis
- muscle necrosis L98.493 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with necrosis of muscle
- skin breakdown only L98.491 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites limited to breakdown of skin
- specified severity NEC L98.498 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with other specified severity
- tuberculous (primary) A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue
- upper limb
- varicose
Common questions about skin ulcer ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for skin ulcer?
- L98.499 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: A06.7, A31.1, L98.499, L98.496 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for amebic skin ulcer?
- A06.7 — Cutaneous amebiasis.
What is the ICD-10 code for mycobacterial skin ulcer?
- A31.1 — Cutaneous mycobacterial infection.
What is the ICD-10 code for tuberculous skin ulcer?
- A18.4 — Tuberculosis of skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Is L98.499 billable?
- Yes. L98.499 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can L98.499 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict L98.499 as a principal diagnosis.
Is L98.499 a CC or MCC?
- No. L98.499 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.