2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L43Lichen planus

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L40-L45›L43

ICD-10-CM L43
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L43 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for lichen planus, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L43.0, L43.1, L43.2, and L43.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L43
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Lichen planus
Short Description
Lichen planus
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
L40-L45
Papulosquamous disorders

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL40-L45Papulosquamous disorders
CategoryL43Lichen planus
This CodeL43Lichen planus

Specific Coding for Lichen planusOverview

Non-specific codes like L43 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L43.0 for Hypertrophic lichen planus

  • Use L43.1 for Bullous lichen planus

  • Use L43.2 for Lichenoid drug reaction

  • Use L43.3 for Subacute (active) lichen planus

  • Use L43.8 for Other lichen planus

  • Use L43.9 for Lichen planus, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L43: its own notes plus those printed at 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.

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 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.-)

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Lichen Planus

    an inflammatory, pruritic disease of the skin and mucous membranes, which can be either generalized or localized. it is characterized by distinctive purplish, flat-topped papules having a predilection for the trunk and flexor surfaces. the lesions may be discrete or coalesce to form plaques. histologically, there is a saw-tooth pattern of epidermal hyperplasia and vacuolar alteration of the basal layer of the epidermis along with an intense upper dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed predominantly of t-cells. etiology is unknown.

Patient EducationClinical

Skin Conditions

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers the entire outside of your body. There are many ways that your skin protects your body and helps keep you healthy. For example, it:

The full article covers:

  • What does your skin do?
  • What problems and conditions can affect your skin?
  • How can I keep my skin healthy?

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 L43Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for lichen planus?

L43 is the ICD-10-CM category for lichen planus, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is L43 (Lichen planus) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for lichen planus, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for lichen planus need a more specific code from this category, such as L43.0, L43.1, and L43.2.

Can L43 be reported with a code from L66.1?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on L43 lists "lichen planopilaris (L66.1-)". 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).