2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L29.9Pruritus, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L20-L30›L29

ICD-10-CM L29.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L29.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pruritus, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) 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
L29.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Pruritus, unspecified
Short Description
Pruritus, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L29
Pruritus

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL20-L30Dermatitis and eczema
CategoryL29Pruritus
This CodeL29.9Pruritus, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Adverse effect from PUVA photochemotherapy
  • Application site itching
  • Application site reaction
  • Dermatosis of menopause
  • Disorder of skin due to human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Generalized pruritus
  • Generalized pruritus of unknown etiology
  • Hemodialysis-associated pruritus
  • Injection site itching
  • Injection site pruritus
  • Itching
  • Itching of lesion of skin
  • Itching of pigmented skin lesion
  • Itching of skin
  • Multifactorial pruritus
  • Paraneoplastic pruritus
  • Post-herpetic pruritus
  • Postmenopausal pruritus
  • Pruritic disorder
  • Pruritic disorder of skin
  • Pruritus caused by antimalarial
  • Pruritus caused by drug
  • Pruritus caused by hydroxyethyl starch
  • Pruritus caused by opioid
  • Pruritus due to human immunodeficiency virus infection
  • Pruritus due to neurological disorder
  • Pruritus due to systemic disorder
  • PUVA-induced pruritus
  • Solar pruritus
  • Uremic pruritus

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Itch NOS

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Pruritus, pruritic(essential)

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.

  • Pruritus Ani

    intense chronic itching in the anal area.

  • Pruritus Vulvae

    intense itching of the external female genitals.

  • Pruritic Disorder

    a skin disorder characterized by an intense itching sensation.

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.

Convert L29.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
698.9 Pruritic disorder NOS
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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About L29.9Overview

Is L29.9 (Pruritus) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report pruritus, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does L29.9 group to?

When pruritus, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 606, 607, with relative weights from 0.9064 to 1.5132 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L29.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, pruritus, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 698.9 (pruritic disorder NOS). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.