2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L04Acute lymphadenitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L00-L08›L04

ICD-10-CM L04
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L04 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acute lymphadenitis, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L04.0, L04.1, L04.2, and L04.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L04
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acute lymphadenitis
Short Description
Acute lymphadenitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
L00-L08
Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL00-L08Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL04Acute lymphadenitis
This CodeL04Acute lymphadenitis

Specific Coding for Acute lymphadenitisOverview

Non-specific codes like L04 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L04.0 for Acute lymphadenitis of face, head and neck

  • Use L04.1 for Acute lymphadenitis of trunk

  • Use L04.2 for Acute lymphadenitis of upper limb

  • Use L04.3 for Acute lymphadenitis of lower limb

  • Use L04.8 for Acute lymphadenitis of other sites

  • Use L04.9 for Acute lymphadenitis, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L04: its own notes plus those printed at block L00-L08 and Chapter 12. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • abscess (acute) of lymph nodes, except mesenteric
  • acute lymphadenitis, except mesenteric

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • chronic or subacute lymphadenitis, except mesenteric (I88.1)
  • enlarged lymph nodes (R59.-)
  • human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease resulting in generalized lymphadenopathy (B20)
  • lymphadenitis NOS (I88.9)
  • nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis (I88.0)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block L00-L08 Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue applies to 159 codes
  • hordeolum (H00.0)
  • infective dermatitis (L30.3)
  • local infections of skin classified in Chapter 1
  • lupus panniculitis (L93.2)
  • panniculitis NOS (M79.3)
  • panniculitis of neck and back (M54.0-)
  • Perlèche NOS (K13.0)
  • Perlèche due to candidiasis (B37.0)
  • Perlèche due to riboflavin deficiency (E53.0)
  • pyogenic granuloma (L98.0)
  • relapsing panniculitis [Weber-Christian] (M35.6)
  • viral warts (B07.-)
  • zoster (B02.-)
From Chapter 12 (L00-L99) Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue applies to 1,001 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • lipomelanotic reticulosis (I89.8)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
  • systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)
  • viral warts (B07.-)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block L00-L08 Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue applies to 159 codes
  • code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L04, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming L04: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • I88 Nonspecific lymphadenitis
    acute lymphadenitis, except mesenteric (L04.-)
  • R59 Enlarged lymph nodes
    acute lymphadenitis (L04.-)

Excludes2 1

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming L04: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • D75 Other and unspecified diseases of blood and blood-forming organs
    acute lymphadenitis (L04.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acute Lymphadenitis

    acute inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Patient EducationClinical

Lymphatic Diseases

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs. It is made up of:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About L04Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acute lymphadenitis?

L04 is the ICD-10-CM category for acute lymphadenitis, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is L04 (Acute lymphadenitis) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acute lymphadenitis, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acute lymphadenitis need a more specific code from this category, such as L04.0, L04.1, and L04.2.

Can L04 be reported with I88.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on L04 lists "chronic or subacute lymphadenitis, except mesenteric (I88.1)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).