Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation (L56) ICD-10-CM
The L56 code range covers other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation with 9 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 8 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
Codes in the L56 Range 9 codes · 8 billable
- L56 Other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiationNon-billable
- L56.0 Drug phototoxic response
- L56.1 Drug photoallergic response
- L56.2 Photocontact dermatitis [berloque dermatitis]
- L56.3 Solar urticaria
- L56.4 Polymorphous light eruption
- L56.5 Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)
- L56.8 Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation
- L56.9 Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the L56 range.
Photosensitivity Disorders
Abnormal responses to sunlight or artificial light due to extreme reactivity of light-absorbing molecules in tissues. It refers almost exclusively to skin photosensitivity, including sunburn, reactions due to repeated prolonged exposure in the absence of photosensitizing factors, and reactions requiring photosensitizing factors such as photosensitizing agents and certain diseases. With restricted reference to skin tissue, it does not include photosensitivity of the eye to light, as in photophobia or photosensitive epilepsy.
Polymorphous Light Eruption
A red, edematous rash that occurs on areas of the skin with recent exposure to sunlight.
Urticaria, Solar
Chromophore-dependent photodermatosis triggered by UV and visible light.
About the L56 Code Range
Ultraviolet radiation can cause acute skin changes, including drug-related reactions and named skin conditions.
The subdivisions distinguish drug phototoxic responses (L56.0) from drug photoallergic responses (L56.1). Separate codes identify photocontact dermatitis (L56.2), solar urticaria (L56.3), polymorphous light eruption (L56.4), and disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (L56.5). The remaining codes distinguish other specified changes (L56.8) from an unspecified acute change (L56.9).
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the L56 range?
Of the 9 codes in this range, 8 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the L56 range classify?
The range classifies other acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
