2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L55.0Sunburn of first degree

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L55-L59›L55

ICD-10-CM L55.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L55.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sunburn of first degree. 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. Coders also document this condition as effects of overexposure to electromagnetic radiation. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified inflammatory condition of skin.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L55.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Sunburn of first degree
Short Description
Sunburn of first degree
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L55
Sunburn

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL55-L59Radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL55Sunburn
This CodeL55.0Sunburn of first degree

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Effects of overexposure to electromagnetic radiation
  • Solar erythema
  • Sunburn of first degree

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.

    • Erythema, erythematous(infectional) (inflammation)
      • solare
    • Sunburn
      • first degree

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

  • 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.

  • Sunburn

    an inflammatory reaction from ultraviolet radiation characterized by transient redness, tenderness and occasional blistering.

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.

Convert L55.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
692.71 Sunburn
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 L55.0Overview

Is L55.0 (Sunburn) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does L55.0 group to?

When sunburn of first degree 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 L55.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sunburn of first degree converts to ICD-9-CM 692.71 (sunburn). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

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.