2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L20.81Atopic neurodermatitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L20-L30›L20

ICD-10-CM L20.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L20.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for atopic neurodermatitis. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 606 through 607. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Allergic reactions and Other specified inflammatory condition of skin.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L20.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Atopic neurodermatitis
Short Description
Atopic neurodermatitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L20.8
Other atopic dermatitis

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL20-L30Dermatitis and eczema
CategoryL20Atopic dermatitis
This CodeL20.81Atopic neurodermatitis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Atopic neurodermatitis

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L20.81: its own notes plus those printed at L20.8, block L20-L30, and Chapter 12. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Applicable To

Conditions this code is used for: synonyms of the title or, for "other specified" codes, the conditions assigned to it. The list is not exhaustive.

  • Diffuse neurodermatitis

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 L20.8 Other atopic dermatitis applies to 5 codes
  • circumscribed neurodermatitis (L28.0)
From Block L20-L30 Dermatitis and eczema applies to 74 codes
  • chronic (childhood) granulomatous disease (D71-)
  • dermatitis gangrenosa (L08.0)
  • dermatitis herpetiformis (L13.0)
  • dry skin dermatitis (L85.3)
  • factitial dermatitis (L98.1)
  • perioral dermatitis (L71.0)
  • radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)
  • stasis dermatitis (I87.2)
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.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block L20-L30 Dermatitis and eczema applies to 74 codes
  • In this block the terms dermatitis and eczema are used synonymously and interchangeably.

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

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 INJ031
Allergic reactions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR SKN002
Other specified inflammatory condition of skin
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Dermatitis, Atopic

    a chronic inflammatory genetically determined disease of the skin marked by increased ability to form reagin (ige), with increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and asthma, and hereditary disposition to a lowered threshold for pruritus. it is manifested by lichenification, excoriation, and crusting, mainly on the flexural surfaces of the elbow and knee. in infants it is known as infantile eczema.

Patient EducationClinical

Eczema

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert L20.81 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
691.8 Other atopic dermatitis
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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About L20.81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for atopic neurodermatitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for atopic neurodermatitis is L20.81 (sometimes written as L2081). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is L20.81 (Other atopic dermatitis) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report atopic neurodermatitis on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What MS-DRG does L20.81 group to?

When atopic neurodermatitis is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 607, 606, with relative weights from 0.8772 to 1.5721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L20.81?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, atopic neurodermatitis converts to ICD-9-CM 691.8 (other atopic dermatitis). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.