2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L51.8Other erythema multiforme
ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L49-L54›L51
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
L51.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other erythema multiforme. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 595 through 596. Coders also document this condition as erythema multiforme due to viral disease. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Allergic reactions and Other specified inflammatory condition of skin.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Erythema multiforme due to viral disease
- Erythema multiforme, dermal type
- Erythema multiforme, epidermal type
- Erythema multiforme, mixed dermal-epidermal type
- Erythema tuberculatum
- Papular form erythema multiforme
- Vesicobullous form erythema multiforme
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L51.8: its own notes plus those printed at L51, 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.
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.
- 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 to identify associated manifestations, such as:
- arthropathy associated with dermatological disorders (M14.8-)
- conjunctival edema (H11.42)
- conjunctivitis (H10.22-)
- corneal scars and opacities (H17.-)
- corneal ulcer (H16.0-)
- edema of eyelid (H02.84-)
- inflammation of eyelid (H01.8-)
- keratoconjunctivitis sicca (H16.22-)
- mechanical lagophthalmos (H02.22-)
- stomatitis (K12.-)
- symblepharon (H11.23-)
- code to identify percentage of skin exfoliation (L49.-)
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L51.8, its category, or a range that includes it.
Code First 1
These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and L51.8 is one of the conditions named.
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.
Clinical InformationClinical
Erythema Multiforme
a skin and mucous membrane disease characterized by an eruption of macules, papules, nodules, vesicles, and/or bullae with characteristic bull's-eye lesions usually occurring on the dorsal aspect of the hands and forearms.
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 L51.8 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About L51.8Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for other erythema multiforme?
The ICD-10-CM code for other erythema multiforme is L51.8 (sometimes written as L518). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is L51.8 (Erythema multiforme) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other erythema multiforme on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does L51.8 group to?
When other erythema multiforme is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 596, 595, with relative weights from 1.1067 to 2.0230 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Can L51.8 be reported with L00?
Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at L51, which applies to L51.8, lists "staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (L00)". 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 L51.8 need an additional code?
When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note at L51, which applies to L51.8, reads: code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5); code to identify associated manifestations, such as:; arthropathy associated with dermatological disorders (M14.8-); conjunctival edema (H11.42); conjunctivitis (H10.22-); and 9 more listed in the Instructional Notes section. The additional code is reported after L51.8.
