2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L55.1Sunburn of second degree
ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L55-L59›L55
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
L55.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for sunburn of second degree. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) 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
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Effects of overexposure to electromagnetic radiation
- Sunburn of second degree
Instructional NotesGuidance
Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L55.1: 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 L55.1, its category, or a range that includes it.
Excludes1 5
These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming L55.1: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.
Excludes2 8
These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming L55.1: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.
- Block T20-T32sunburn (L55.-) names L55.-, which includes this code
- T67 Effects of heat and lightsunburn (L55.-) names L55.-, which includes this code
- Block L20-L30 Dermatitis and eczema
- L23 Allergic contact dermatitis
- L24 Irritant contact dermatitis
- L25 Unspecified contact dermatitis
- Block T20-T32
- X32 Exposure to sunlight
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
second degree L55.1
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
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.
Convert L55.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About L55.1Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for sunburn of second degree?
The ICD-10-CM code for sunburn of second degree is L55.1 (sometimes written as L551). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is L55.1 (Sunburn) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report sunburn of second degree on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
What MS-DRG does L55.1 group to?
When sunburn of second degree is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 607, 606, with relative weights from 0.8772 to 1.5721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of L55.1?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, sunburn of second degree converts to ICD-9-CM 692.76 (2nd degree sunburn). The mapping is a direct match.
