Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L56

Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

ICD-10-CM Code:
L56
ICD-10 Code for:
Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    (L00–L99)
    • Radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
      (L55-L59)
      • Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
        (L56)

L56 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

Non-specific codes like L56 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation:

  • Use L56.0 for Drug phototoxic response - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.1 for Drug photoallergic response - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.2 for Photocontact dermatitis [berloque dermatitis] - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.3 for Solar urticaria - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.4 for Polymorphous light eruption - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.5 for Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.8 for Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L56.9 for Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify the source of the ultraviolet radiation W89 X32

Patient Education


Sun Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. They can pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans aren't healthy, either. They appear after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. They can also cause eye problems, wrinkles, skin spots, and skin cancer.

To protect yourself :

  • Stay out of the sun when it is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
  • Wear protective clothing
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection
  • Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds

Check your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. Such changes are a sign of skin cancer.

Food and Drug Administration


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.