2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.211Cellulitis of face

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03

ICD-10-CM L03.211
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L03.211 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cellulitis of face. 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
L03.211
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cellulitis of face
Short Description
Cellulitis of face
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L03.21
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
This CodeL03.211Cellulitis of face

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Abscess of cheek
  • Abscess of chin
  • Abscess of forehead
  • Cellulitis and abscess of cheek
  • Cellulitis and abscess of chin
  • Cellulitis and abscess of face
  • Cellulitis and abscess of forehead
  • Cellulitis of chin
  • Cellulitis of external cheek
  • Cellulitis of face
  • Cellulitis of forehead
  • Cellulitis of infratemporal fossa
  • Diffuse cellulitis of face

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 2 Excludes

  • abscess of orbit H05.01
  • cellulitis of ear H60.1
  • cellulitis of eyelid H00.0
  • cellulitis of head L03.81
  • cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus H04.3
  • cellulitis of lip K13.0
  • cellulitis of mouth K12.2
  • cellulitis of nose internal J34.0
  • cellulitis of orbit H05.01
  • cellulitis of scalp L03.81

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Cellulitis(diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative)
      • cheek (external)
    • Cellulitis(diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative)
      • face NEC
    • Cellulitis(diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative)
      • head NEC
        • face (any part, except ear, eye and nose)
    • Cellulitis(diffuse) (phlegmonous) (septic) (suppurative)
      • jaw (region)

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 L03.211 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
682.0 Cellulitis of face
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 L03.211Overview

Is L03.211 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L03.211 group to?

When cellulitis of face 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 L03.211?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cellulitis of face converts to ICD-9-CM 682.0 (cellulitis of face). 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.