2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L70Acne

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L60-L75›L70

ICD-10-CM L70
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L70 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for acne, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L70.0, L70.1, L70.2, and L70.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L70
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Acne
Short Description
Acne
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
L60-L75
Disorders of skin appendages

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL60-L75Disorders of skin appendages
CategoryL70Acne
This CodeL70Acne

Specific Coding for AcneOverview

Non-specific codes like L70 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L70.0 for Acne vulgaris

  • Use L70.1 for Acne conglobata

  • Use L70.2 for Acne varioliformis

  • Use L70.3 for Acne tropica

  • Use L70.4 for Infantile acne

  • Use L70.5 for Acne excoriee

  • Use L70.8 for Other acne

  • Use L70.9 for Acne, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L70: its own notes plus those printed at block L60-L75 and Chapter 12. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block L60-L75 Disorders of skin appendages applies to 85 codes
  • congenital malformations of integument (Q84.-)

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.

On L70 itself
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.-)

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

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Acne

    an inflammatory process of the sebaceous glands which is characterized by comedones, nodules, papules and/or pustules on the skin.

Patient EducationClinical

Acne

Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is common in teenagers and young adults. It is not serious, but it can cause scars.

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 L70Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for acne?

L70 is the ICD-10-CM category for acne, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is L70 (Acne) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for acne, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for acne need a more specific code from this category, such as L70.0, L70.1, and L70.2.

Can L70 be reported with a code from Q84?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block L60-L75, which applies to L70, lists "congenital malformations of integument (Q84.-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).