2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L56.9Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L55-L59›L56

ICD-10-CM L56.9
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L56.9 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified. 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 acute effect of ultraviolet radiation on normal skin. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Contact dermatitis.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L56.9
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified
Short Description
Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L56
Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation

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 CodeL56.9Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Acute effect of ultraviolet radiation on normal skin
  • Ultraviolet-induced change in normal skin

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.

    • Change(s) (in) (of)
      • skin
        • acute, due to ultraviolet radiation

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR SKN005
Contact dermatitis
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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 L56.9 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
692.79 Oth dermatitis solar rad
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 L56.9Overview

Is L56.9 (Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does L56.9 group to?

When acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified 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 L56.9?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 692.79 (oth dermatitis solar rad). 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.