2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L29.81Cholestatic pruritus

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L20-L30›L29

ICD-10-CM L29.81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L29.81 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cholestatic pruritus. 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 Other specified inflammatory condition of skin.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L29.81
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Cholestatic pruritus
Short Description
Cholestatic pruritus
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L29.8
Other pruritus

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL20-L30Dermatitis and eczema
CategoryL29Pruritus
This CodeL29.81Cholestatic pruritus

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Cholestatic pruritus

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L29.81: its own notes plus those printed at L29, block L20-L30, and Chapter 12. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

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

From L29 Pruritus applies to 7 codes
  • neurotic excoriation (L98.1)
  • psychogenic pruritus (F45.8)

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 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.-)

Use Additional Code

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

  • code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)

Code Also

A second code may be needed to fully describe the condition; the note gives no sequencing direction.

  • if applicable, type of liver disease

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Pruritus

    an intense itching sensation that produces the urge to rub or scratch the skin to obtain relief.

Patient EducationClinical

Itching

Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives.

The full article covers:

  • What is itching?
  • What causes itching?
  • What are the treatments for itching?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement L29.81 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • L29.8 - Other pruritus
FY 2025AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2024.
FY 2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About L29.81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for cholestatic pruritus?

The ICD-10-CM code for cholestatic pruritus is L29.81 (sometimes written as L2981). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is L29.81 (Other pruritus) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L29.81 group to?

When cholestatic pruritus 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.

Can L29.81 be reported with L98.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at L29, which applies to L29.81, lists "neurotic excoriation (L98.1)". 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).

Does L29.81 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5). The additional code is reported after L29.81.