2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L21.0Seborrhea capitis

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L20-L30›L21

ICD-10-CM L21.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L21.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for seborrhea capitis. 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. Coders also document this condition as cradle cap. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified inflammatory condition of skin.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L21.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Seborrhea capitis
Short Description
Seborrhea capitis
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L21
Seborrheic dermatitis

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL20-L30Dermatitis and eczema
CategoryL21Seborrheic dermatitis
This CodeL21.0Seborrhea capitis

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cradle cap
  • Exfoliative disorder of skin of scalp
  • Pityriasis
  • Pityriasis capitis
  • Pityriasis steatoides
  • Seborrheic dermatitis of scalp

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L21.0: its own notes plus those printed at L21, 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.

  • Cradle cap

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 L21 Seborrheic dermatitis applies to 4 codes
  • infective dermatitis (L30.3)
  • seborrheic keratosis (L82.-)
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.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L21.0, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming L21.0: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • P83 Other conditions of integument specific to newborn
    cradle cap (L21.0)
  • L82 Seborrheic keratosis
    seborrheic dermatitis (L21.-) names L21.-, which includes this code

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 SKN002
Other specified inflammatory condition of skin
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Dandruff

    excessive shedding of dry scaly material from the scalp in humans.

  • Pityriasis

    a name originally applied to a group of skin diseases characterized by the formation of fine, branny scales, but now used only with a modifier. (dorland, 27th ed)

Patient EducationClinical

Dandruff, Cradle Cap, and Other Scalp Conditions

Your scalp is the skin on the top of your head. Unless you have hair loss, hair grows on your scalp. Different skin problems can affect your scalp.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert L21.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
690.11 Seborrhea capitis
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 L21.0Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for seborrhea capitis?

The ICD-10-CM code for seborrhea capitis is L21.0 (sometimes written as L210). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is L21.0 (Seborrheic dermatitis) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L21.0 group to?

When seborrhea capitis 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 L21.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, seborrhea capitis converts to ICD-9-CM 690.11 (seborrhea capitis). The mapping is a direct match.