2021 ICD-10-CM Code L03
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
Not Valid for Submission
L03 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of cellulitis and acute lymphangitis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2021 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.
| ICD-10: | L03 |
| Short Description: | Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis |
| Long Description: | Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis |
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
Non-specific codes like L03 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 cellulitis and acute lymphangitis:
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.0 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of finger and toe
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.01 for Cellulitis of finger
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.02 for Acute lymphangitis of finger
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.03 for Cellulitis of toe
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.04 for Acute lymphangitis of toe
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.1 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.11 for Cellulitis of other parts of limb
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.12 for Acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.2 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.21 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.22 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.3 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of trunk
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.31 for Cellulitis of trunk
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.32 for Acute lymphangitis of trunk
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.8 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other sites
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.81 for Cellulitis of other sites
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.89 for Acute lymphangitis of other sites
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.9 for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis, unspecified
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.90 for Cellulitis, unspecified
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.91 for Acute lymphangitis, unspecified
Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10 codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more. The following references are applicable to the code L03:
Type 2 Excludes
Type 2 ExcludesA type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- 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
Information for Patients
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.
NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- Cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Orbital cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Perianal streptococcal cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Periorbital cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
Lymphatic Diseases
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs. It is made up of
- Lymph - a fluid that contains white blood cells that defend against germs
- Lymph vessels - vessels that carry lymph throughout your body. They are different from blood vessels.
- Lymph nodes - glands found throughout the lymph vessels. Along with your spleen, these nodes are where white blood cells fight infection.
Your bone marrow and thymus produce the cells in lymph. They are part of the system, too.
The lymphatic system clears away infection and keeps your body fluids in balance. If it's not working properly, fluid builds in your tissues and causes swelling, called lymphedema. Other lymphatic system problems can include infections, blockage, and cancer.
- Cancer and lymph nodes (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Cystic hygroma (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Groin lump (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Lymph node biopsy (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Lymph system (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Lymphadenitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Lymphangitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Lymphofollicular hyperplasia (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Neck lump (Medical Encyclopedia)
- Swollen lymph nodes (Medical Encyclopedia)
[Learn More in MedlinePlus]
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)