2021 ICD-10-CM Code L03.1
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb
Not Valid for Submission
L03.1 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 of other parts of limb. 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: | L03.1 |
| Short Description: | Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb |
| Long Description: | Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb |
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb
Non-specific codes like L03.1 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 of other parts of limb:
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.11 for Cellulitis of other parts of limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.111 for Cellulitis of right axilla
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.112 for Cellulitis of left axilla
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.113 for Cellulitis of right upper limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.114 for Cellulitis of left upper limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.115 for Cellulitis of right lower limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.116 for Cellulitis of left lower limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.119 for Cellulitis of unspecified part of limb
- NON-BILLABLE CODE - L03.12 for Acute lymphangitis of other parts of limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.121 for Acute lymphangitis of right axilla
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.122 for Acute lymphangitis of left axilla
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.123 for Acute lymphangitis of right upper limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.124 for Acute lymphangitis of left upper limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.125 for Acute lymphangitis of right lower limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.126 for Acute lymphangitis of left lower limb
- BILLABLE CODE - Use L03.129 for Acute lymphangitis of unspecified part of limb
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)