2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.019Cellulitis of unspecified finger

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03

ICD-10-CM L03.019
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L03.019 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cellulitis of unspecified finger. 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. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L03.019
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cellulitis of unspecified finger
Short Description
Cellulitis of unspecified finger
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L03.01
Cellulitis of finger

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
This CodeL03.019Cellulitis of unspecified finger

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Abscess of toe
  • Cellulitis and abscess of finger
  • Cellulitis and abscess of finger and toe
  • Cellulitis and abscess of hand
  • Cellulitis and abscess of lower limb
  • Cellulitis and abscess of toe
  • Cellulitis and abscess of upper limb
  • Cellulitis of finger
  • Cellulitis of index finger
  • Cellulitis of little finger
  • Cellulitis of middle finger
  • Cellulitis of ring finger
  • Cellulitis of thumb
  • Gram-negative bacterial cellulitis
  • Infection of nail bed of finger
  • Nail bed infection
  • Onychia
  • Onychia of finger
  • Paronychia of finger
  • Paronychia of thumb
  • Seal finger
  • Thumb onychia

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

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.

Convert L03.019 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
681.00 Cellulitis, finger NOS
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
681.01 Felon
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
681.02 Onychia of finger
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
681.9 Cellulitis of digit NOS
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 L03.019Overview

Is L03.019 (Cellulitis of finger) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L03.019 group to?

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

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L03.019?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cellulitis of unspecified finger converts to ICD-9-CM 681.00 (cellulitis, finger NOS), 681.01 (felon), and 681.02 (onychia of finger). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.