L55 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for sunburn, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L55.0, L55.1, L55.2, and L55.9.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for SunburnOverview
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L55: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 12. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.
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.-)
Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.
Referenced in Other NotesGuidance
Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L55, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 5
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming L55: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2 8
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming L55: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
Clinical InformationClinical
Sunburn
an injury to the skin causing erythema, tenderness, and sometimes blistering and resulting from excessive exposure to the sun. the reaction is produced by the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
Patient EducationClinical
Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. They can pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans aren't healthy, either. They appear after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About L55Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for sunburn?
L55 is the ICD-10-CM category for sunburn, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.
