2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L56Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L55-L59›L56

ICD-10-CM L56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L56.0, L56.1, L56.2, and L56.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
Short Description
Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
L55-L59
Radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL55-L59Radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL56Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
This CodeL56Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

Specific Coding for Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiationOverview

Non-specific codes like L56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L56.0 for Drug phototoxic response

  • Use L56.1 for Drug photoallergic response

  • Use L56.2 for Photocontact dermatitis [berloque dermatitis]

  • Use L56.3 for Solar urticaria

  • Use L56.4 for Polymorphous light eruption

  • Use L56.5 for Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)

  • Use L56.8 for Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

  • Use L56.9 for Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L56: 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.

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.-)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code to identify the source of the ultraviolet radiation (W89, X32)

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name L56, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 3

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming L56: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • K13.0 Diseases of lips
    cheilitis due to radiation-related disorders (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • T66 Radiation sickness, unspecified
    radiation related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • T67 Effects of heat and light
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code

Excludes2 6

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming L56: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • Block L20-L30 Dermatitis and eczema
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • L23 Allergic contact dermatitis
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • L24 Irritant contact dermatitis
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • L25 Unspecified contact dermatitis
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • Block T20-T32
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code
  • X32 Exposure to sunlight
    radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59) names L55-L59, which includes this code

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

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 L56Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation?

L56 is the ICD-10-CM category for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is L56 (Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation need a more specific code from this category, such as L56.0, L56.1, and L56.2.

Does L56 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code to identify the source of the ultraviolet radiation (W89, X32). The additional code is reported after L56.