2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03

ICD-10-CM L03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L03 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L03.011, L03.012, L03.019, and L03.021.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L03
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
Chapter
L00-L08
Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
This CodeL03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis

Specific Coding for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitisOverview

Non-specific codes like L03 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • L03.0 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of finger and toe

  • L03.01 for Cellulitis of finger

  • L03.02 for Acute lymphangitis of finger

  • L03.03 for Cellulitis of toe

  • L03.04 for Acute lymphangitis of toe

  • L03.1 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.11 for Cellulitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.12 for Acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.2 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck

  • L03.21 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face

  • L03.22 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck

  • L03.3 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk

  • L03.31 for Cellulitis of trunk

  • L03.32 for Acute lymphangitis of trunk

  • L03.8 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other sites

  • L03.81 for Cellulitis of other sites

  • L03.89 for Acute lymphangitis of other sites

  • L03.9 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, unspecified

  • Use L03.90 for Cellulitis, unspecified

  • Use L03.91 for Acute lymphangitis, unspecified

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Type 2 Excludes

  • cellulitis of anal and rectal region K61
  • cellulitis of external auditory canal H60.1
  • cellulitis of eyelid H00.0
  • cellulitis of female external genital organs N76.4
  • cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus H04.3
  • cellulitis of male external genital organs N48.2 N49
  • cellulitis of mouth K12.2
  • cellulitis of nose J34.0
  • eosinophilic cellulitis Wells L98.3
  • febrile neutrophilic dermatosis Sweet L98.2
  • lymphangitis chronic subacute I89.1

Patient EducationClinical

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.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

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 L03Overview

Is L03 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for cellulitis and acute lymphangitis need a more specific code from this category, such as L03.011, L03.012, and L03.019.