2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L44.1Lichen nitidus

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L40-L45›L44

ICD-10-CM L44.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L44.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for lichen nitidus. 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
L44.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Lichen nitidus
Short Description
Lichen nitidus
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L44
Other papulosquamous disorders

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL40-L45Papulosquamous disorders
CategoryL44Other papulosquamous disorders
This CodeL44.1Lichen nitidus

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Lichen nitidus
  • Nail dystrophy due to lichen nitidus

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.

    • Disease, diseased
      • Pinkus' (lichen nitidus)
    • Lichen
      • nitidus
    • Pinkus' disease(lichen nitidus)

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

  • Lichen Nitidus

    a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by shiny, flat-topped, usually flesh-colored micropapules no larger than the head of a pin. lesions are localized in the early stages, found chiefly on the lower abdomen, penis, and inner surface of the thighs. distribution may become generalized as the disease progresses.

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.

Convert L44.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
697.1 Lichen nitidus
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 L44.1Overview

Is L44.1 (Other papulosquamous disorders) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L44.1 group to?

When lichen nitidus 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 L44.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, lichen nitidus converts to ICD-9-CM 697.1 (lichen nitidus). 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.