2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L49Exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L49-L54›L49

ICD-10-CM L49
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L49 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L49.0, L49.1, L49.2, and L49.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L49
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved
Short Description
Exfoliatn due to erythemat cond accord extent body involv
Chapter
L49-L54
Urticaria and erythema

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL49-L54Urticaria and erythema
CategoryL49Exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved
This CodeL49Exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved

Specific Coding for Exfoliatn due to erythemat cond accord extent body involvOverview

Non-specific codes like L49 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L49.0 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving less than 10 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.1 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 10-19 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.2 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 20-29 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.3 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 30-39 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.4 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 40-49 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.5 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 50-59 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.6 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 60-69 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.7 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 70-79 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.8 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 80-89 percent of body surface

  • Use L49.9 for Exfoliation due to erythematous condition involving 90 or more percent of body surface

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L49: its own notes plus those printed at block L49-L54 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 Block L49-L54 Urticaria and erythema applies to 33 codes

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.-)

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

  • erythematous condition causing exfoliation, such as:
  • Ritter's disease (L00)
  • (Staphylococcal) scalded skin syndrome (L00)
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (L51.1)
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome (L51.3)
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis (L51.2)

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L49, its category, or a range that includes it.

Use Additional Code 2

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and L49 is one of the codes named.

  • L00 Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
    code to identify percentage of skin exfoliation (L49.-)
  • L51 Erythema multiforme
    code to identify percentage of skin exfoliation (L49.-)

Patient EducationClinical

Eczema

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more.

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 L49Overview

Is L49 a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for exfoliation due to erythematous conditions according to extent of body surface involved need a more specific code from this category, such as L49.0, L49.1, and L49.2.

Can L49 be reported with a code from A69.2?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block L49-L54, which applies to L49, lists "Lyme disease (A69.2-)". 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).

What is coded first with L49?

The Code First note reads: erythematous condition causing exfoliation, such as: Ritter's disease (L00); (Staphylococcal) scalded skin syndrome (L00); Stevens-Johnson syndrome (L51.1); Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap syndrome (L51.3); Toxic epidermal necrolysis (L51.2). When one of these applies, it is sequenced before L49.