2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.221Cellulitis of neck

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03

ICD-10-CM L03.221
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L03.221 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cellulitis of neck. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 11 through 13, 573 through 575, 602 through 603, 791, 793. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 46 closely related codes. Coders also document this condition as cellulitis and abscess of neck. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L03.221
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cellulitis of neck
Short Description
Cellulitis of neck
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L03.22
Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis
This CodeL03.221Cellulitis of neck

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cellulitis and abscess of neck
  • Cellulitis of neck

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

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 L03.221 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
682.1 Cellulitis of neck
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 L03.221Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cellulitis of neck?

The ICD-10-CM code for cellulitis of neck is L03.221 (sometimes written as L03221). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is L03.221 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L03.221 group to?

When cellulitis of neck is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 11, 12, 13, 573, 574, 575, 602, 603, 791, 793, with relative weights from 0.8709 to 6.5514 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Is L03.221 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists L03.221 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2026. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 46 closely related codes in its exclusion list.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L03.221?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, cellulitis of neck converts to ICD-9-CM 682.1 (cellulitis of neck). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.