2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L03.891Acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face]
ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L03
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Not Chronic
L03.891 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except 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, 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 43 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
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Acute lymphangitis of head
- Acute lymphangitis of scalp
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
head NEC L03.891
scalp (any part) L03.891
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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 L03.891 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About L03.891Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face]?
The ICD-10-CM code for acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face] is L03.891 (sometimes written as L03891). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is L03.891 (Acute lymphangitis of other sites) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face] on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does L03.891 group to?
When acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face] is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 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 L03.891 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists L03.891 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 43 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L03.891?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute lymphangitis of head [any part, except face] converts to ICD-9-CM 682.8 (cellulitis, site NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
