2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L02.818Cutaneous abscess of other sites

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L02

ICD-10-CM L02.818
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L02.818 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cutaneous abscess of other sites. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 573 through 575, 602 through 603, 791, 793. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 43 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as peristomal abscess. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L02.818
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cutaneous abscess of other sites
Short Description
Cutaneous abscess of other sites
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L02.81
Cutaneous abscess of other sites

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL02Cutaneous abscess, furuncle and carbuncle
This CodeL02.818Cutaneous abscess of other sites

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Peristomal abscess

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR SKN001
Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert L02.818 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
682.8 Cellulitis, site NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About L02.818Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cutaneous abscess of other sites?

The ICD-10-CM code for cutaneous abscess of other sites is L02.818 (sometimes written as L02818). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is L02.818 (Cutaneous abscess of other sites) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report cutaneous abscess of other sites on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does L02.818 group to?

When cutaneous abscess of other sites is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 573, 574, 575, 602, 603, 791, 793, with relative weights from 0.8709 to 6.5514 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is L02.818 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists L02.818 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2026. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 43 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L02.818?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cutaneous abscess of other sites converts to ICD-9-CM 682.8 (cellulitis, site NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.