2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L81Other disorders of pigmentation

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L80-L99›L81

ICD-10-CM L81
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

L81 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for other disorders of pigmentation, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as L81.0, L81.1, L81.2, and L81.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L81
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Other disorders of pigmentation
Short Description
Other disorders of pigmentation
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
L80-L99
Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL80-L99Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL81Other disorders of pigmentation
This CodeL81Other disorders of pigmentation

Specific Coding for Other disorders of pigmentationOverview

Non-specific codes like L81 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use L81.0 for Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

  • Use L81.1 for Chloasma

  • Use L81.2 for Freckles

  • Use L81.3 for Cafe au lait spots

  • Use L81.4 for Other melanin hyperpigmentation

  • Use L81.5 for Leukoderma, not elsewhere classified

  • Use L81.6 for Other disorders of diminished melanin formation

  • Use L81.7 for Pigmented purpuric dermatosis

  • Use L81.8 for Other specified disorders of pigmentation

  • Use L81.9 for Disorder of pigmentation, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to L81: its own notes plus those printed at 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.

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 L81 itself
  • nevus - see Alphabetical Index
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.

Patient EducationClinical

Skin Pigmentation Disorders

Pigmentation means coloring. Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin. Your skin gets its color from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin make melanin. When these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Some pigmentation disorders affect just patches of skin.

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 L81Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for other disorders of pigmentation?

L81 is the ICD-10-CM category for other disorders of pigmentation, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is L81 (Other disorders of pigmentation) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for other disorders of pigmentation, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for other disorders of pigmentation need a more specific code from this category, such as L81.0, L81.1, and L81.2.

Can L81 be reported with Q82.5?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on L81 lists "birthmark NOS (Q82.5)". 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).