2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.222Acute lymphangitis of neck

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03

ICD-10-CM L03.222
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L03.222 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute lymphangitis 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 acute lymphangitis of head. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Skin and subcutaneous tissue infections.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L03.222
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute lymphangitis of neck
Short Description
Acute lymphangitis 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 CodeL03.222Acute lymphangitis of neck

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute lymphangitis of head
  • Acute lymphangitis of neck
  • Acute lymphangitis of submandibular region

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

Bacterial Infections

Bacteria are tiny organisms (living things) that have only one cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods, or spirals. They can be found almost everywhere on Earth. There are lots of bacteria in and on your body. In fact, your body has about 10 times more bacteria cells than human cells.

The full article covers:

  • What are bacteria?
  • How do bacterial infections spread?
  • What are the treatments for bacterial infections?
  • Can bacterial infections be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert L03.222 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 L03.222Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute lymphangitis of neck?

The ICD-10-CM code for acute lymphangitis of neck is L03.222 (sometimes written as L03222). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Is L03.222 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L03.222 group to?

When acute lymphangitis 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 L03.222 a CC or MCC?

CMS lists L03.222 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 L03.222?

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