Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.039

Cellulitis of unspecified toe

ICD-10-CM Code:: L03.039
ICD-10 Code for:: Cellulitis of unspecified toe
Is Billable?: Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: ^[1]: Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Information
Approximate Synonyms
Clinical Classification
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
Diagnostic Related Groups Mapping
Convert to ICD-9 Code
Patient Education
Other Codes Used Similar Conditions
Code History

Code Classification

Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
(L00–L99)
- Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
  (L00-L08)
  - Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
    (L03)

L03.039 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of cellulitis of unspecified toe. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like L03.039 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

Abscess of finger
Abscess of toe
Abscess of toe
Cellulitis and abscess of finger
Cellulitis and abscess of finger and toe
Cellulitis and abscess of hand
Cellulitis and abscess of lower limb
Cellulitis and abscess of lower limb
Cellulitis and abscess of toe
Cellulitis and abscess of toe
Cellulitis and abscess of upper limb
Cellulitis of finger
Cellulitis of toe
Cellulitis of toe
Cellulitis of toe
Onychia
Onychia of toe
Paronychia due to ingrown nail
Paronychia of toe

Clinical Classification

Clinical Category is Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections
CCSR Category Code: SKN001
Inpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Outpatient Default CCSR: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

L03.039 is grouped with Diagnostic Related Groups - MS-DRG Mapping

Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) are a classification system used to group together diagnosis codes for the purpose of reimbursement and healthcare management. DRGs are used to standardize the way hospitals and other providers are paid for inpatient services. In this system patients are grouped together based on their principal diagnosis in areas referred to as Major Diagnostic Categories (MDC). Once a patient is assigned a particular diagnostic category, providers receive a predetermined payment rate for the services rendered. This reimbursement rate is often fixed and is meant to cover the cost of care for that patient. Reimbursement is also affected by the relative weight of a diagnostic related group based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Diagnostic related groups encourage healthcare providers to focus on quality and efficiency in patient care while managing costs effectively. The diagnosis code is present in the following groups for version MS-DRG V41.0 applicable from 10/01/2023 through 09/30/2024.

MS-DRG	MS-DRG Title	MCD	Relative Weight
573	SKIN GRAFT FOR SKIN ULCER OR CELLULITIS WITH MCC	09	6.2181
574	SKIN GRAFT FOR SKIN ULCER OR CELLULITIS WITH CC	09	3.4058
575	SKIN GRAFT FOR SKIN ULCER OR CELLULITIS WITHOUT CC/MCC	09	2.046

The relative weight of a diagnostic related group determines the reimbursement rate based on the severity of a patient's illness and the associated cost of care during hospitalization.

Convert L03.039 to ICD-9-CM

ICD-9-CM Code: 681.10 - Cellulitis, toe NOS
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.
ICD-9-CM Code: 681.11 - Onychia of toe
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.
ICD-9-CM Code: 681.9 - Cellulitis of digit NOS
Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means there is not an exact match between the ICD-10 and ICD-9 codes and the mapped code is not a precise representation of the original code.

Patient Education

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and deep underlying tissues. Group A strep (streptococcal) bacteria are the most common cause. The bacteria enter your body when you get an injury such as a bruise, burn, surgical cut, or wound.

Symptoms include:

Fever and chills
Swollen glands or lymph nodes
A rash with painful, red, tender skin. The skin may blister and scab over.

Your health care provider may take a sample or culture from your skin or do a blood test to identify the bacteria causing infection. Treatment is with antibiotics. They may be oral in mild cases, or intravenous (by IV) for more severe cases.

[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.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.