2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L81.0Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

ICD-10-CM Codes›L00–L99›L80-L99›L81

ICD-10-CM L81.0
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

L81.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. 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 post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified and unspecified skin disorders.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
L81.0
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
Short Description
Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
L81
Other disorders of pigmentation

Code Classification

ChapterL00–L99Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
SectionL80-L99Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
CategoryL81Other disorders of pigmentation
This CodeL81.0Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in lichen planus
  • Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation
  • Postinflammatory skin pigmentation change

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.

    • Hyperpigmentation
      • postinflammatory

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SKN007
Other specified and unspecified skin disorders
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

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.

Convert L81.0 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
709.09 Other dyschromia
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 L81.0Overview

Is L81.0 (Other disorders of pigmentation) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does L81.0 group to?

When postinflammatory hyperpigmentation 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 L81.0?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation converts to ICD-9-CM 709.09 (other dyschromia). 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.