2022 ICD-10-CM Code L02.9
Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle, unspecified
Code Classification
L02.9 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle, unspecified. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2022 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.
Unspecified diagnosis codes like L02.9 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.
Specific Coding for Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle, unspecified
Non-specific codes like L02.9 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10 codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle, unspecified:
Information for Patients
Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus. You can get an abscess almost anywhere in your body. When an area of your body becomes infected, your body's immune system tries to fight the infection. White blood cells go to the infected area, collect within the damaged tissue, and cause inflammation. During this process, pus forms. Pus is a mixture of living and dead white blood cells, germs, and dead tissue.
Bacteria, viruses, parasites and swallowed objects can all lead to abscesses. Skin abscesses are easy to detect. They are red, raised and painful. Abscesses inside your body may not be obvious and can damage organs, including the brain, lungs and others. Treatments include drainage and antibiotics.
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Skin Infections
What are skin infections?
Your skin is your body's largest organ. It has many different functions, including covering and protecting your body. It helps keep germs out. But sometimes the germs can cause a skin infection. This often happens when there is a break, cut, or wound on your skin. It can also happen when your immune system is weakened, because of another disease or a medical treatment.
Some skin infections cover a small area on the top of your skin. Other infections can go deep into your skin or spread to a larger area.
What causes skin infections?
Skin infections are caused by different kinds of germs. For example,
- Bacteria cause cellulitis, impetigo, and staphylococcal (staph) infections
- Viruses cause shingles, warts, and herpes simplex
- Fungi cause athlete's foot and yeast infections
- Parasites cause body lice, head lice, and scabies
Who is at risk for skin infections?
You are at a higher risk for a skin infection if you
- Have poor circulation
- Have diabetes
- Are older
- Have an immune system disease, such as HIV/AIDS
- Have a weakened immune system because of chemotherapy or other medicines that suppress your immune system
- Have to stay in one position for a long time, such as if you are sick and have to stay in bed for a long time or you are paralyzed
- Are malnourished
- Have excessive skinfolds, which can happen if you have obesity
What are the symptoms of skin infections?
The symptoms depend on the type of infection. Some symptoms that are common to many skin infections include rashes, swelling, redness, pain, pus, and itching.
How are skin infections diagnosed?
To diagnose a skin infection, health care providers will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. You may have lab tests, such as a skin culture. This is a test to identify what type of infection you have, using a sample from your skin. Your provider may take the sample by swabbing or scraping your skin, or removing a small piece of skin (biopsy). Sometimes providers use other tests, such as blood tests.
How are skin infections treated?
The treatment depends on the type of infection and how serious it is. Some infections will go away on their own. When you do need treatment, it may include a cream or lotion to put on the skin. Other possible treatments include medicines and a procedure to drain pus.
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Related Codes
ICD Code | Description | Valid for Submission |
---|---|---|
L02 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.0 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of face | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.01 | Cutaneous abscess of face | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.02 | Furuncle of face | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.03 | Carbuncle of face | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.1 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of neck | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.11 | Cutaneous abscess of neck | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.12 | Furuncle of neck | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.13 | Carbuncle of neck | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.2 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of trunk | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.21 | Cutaneous abscess of trunk | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.211 | Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.212 | Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock] | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.213 | Cutaneous abscess of chest wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.214 | Cutaneous abscess of groin | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.215 | Cutaneous abscess of perineum | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.216 | Cutaneous abscess of umbilicus | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.219 | Cutaneous abscess of trunk, unspecified | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.22 | Furuncle of trunk | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.221 | Furuncle of abdominal wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.222 | Furuncle of back [any part, except buttock] | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.223 | Furuncle of chest wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.224 | Furuncle of groin | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.225 | Furuncle of perineum | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.226 | Furuncle of umbilicus | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.229 | Furuncle of trunk, unspecified | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.23 | Carbuncle of trunk | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.231 | Carbuncle of abdominal wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.232 | Carbuncle of back [any part, except buttock] | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.233 | Carbuncle of chest wall | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.234 | Carbuncle of groin | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.235 | Carbuncle of perineum | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.236 | Carbuncle of umbilicus | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.239 | Carbuncle of trunk, unspecified | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.3 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of buttock | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.31 | Cutaneous abscess of buttock | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.32 | Furuncle of buttock | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.33 | Carbuncle of buttock | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.4 | Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle of limb | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.41 | Cutaneous abscess of limb | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.411 | Cutaneous abscess of right axilla | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.412 | Cutaneous abscess of left axilla | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.413 | Cutaneous abscess of right upper limb | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.414 | Cutaneous abscess of left upper limb | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.415 | Cutaneous abscess of right lower limb | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.416 | Cutaneous abscess of left lower limb | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.419 | Cutaneous abscess of limb, unspecified | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.42 | Furuncle of limb | NON-BILLABLE CODE |
L02.421 | Furuncle of right axilla | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.422 | Furuncle of left axilla | BILLABLE CODE |
L02.423 | Furuncle of right upper limb | BILLABLE CODE |
Code History
- 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 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)