Other disorders of pigmentation (L81) ICD-10-CM
The L81 code range covers other disorders of pigmentation with 11 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 10 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
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Codes in the L81 Range 11 codes · 10 billable
- L81 Other disorders of pigmentationNon-billable
- L81.0 Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
- L81.1 Chloasma
- L81.2 Freckles
- L81.3 Cafe au lait spots
- L81.4 Other melanin hyperpigmentation
- L81.5 Leukoderma, not elsewhere classified
- L81.6 Other disorders of diminished melanin formation
- L81.7 Pigmented purpuric dermatosis
- L81.8 Other specified disorders of pigmentation
- L81.9 Disorder of pigmentation, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the L81 range.
Cafe-au-Lait Spots
Light brown pigmented macules associated with NEUROFIBROMATOSIS and Albright's syndrome (see FIBROUS DYSPLASIA, POLYOSTOTIC).
Lentigo
Small circumscribed melanoses resembling, but differing histologically from, freckles. The concept includes senile lentigo ('liver spots') and nevoid lentigo (nevus spilus, lentigo simplex) and may also occur in association with multiple congenital defects or congenital syndromes (e.g., Peutz-Jeghers syndrome).
Leukoderma
Localized loss of skin pigmentation, often in patches.
Melanosis
Disorders of increased melanin pigmentation that develop without preceding inflammatory disease.
About the L81 Code Range
These pigmentation disorders affect skin color. They include changes following inflammation, freckles, café au lait spots, and other named conditions.
The subdivisions separate postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (L81.0), chloasma (L81.1), freckles (L81.2), and café au lait spots (L81.3). Other codes distinguish increased melanin pigmentation (L81.4) from leukoderma (L81.5) and diminished melanin formation (L81.6). Melanin is a skin pigment. The remaining subdivisions identify pigmented purpuric dermatosis (L81.7), other specified pigmentation disorders (L81.8), and an unspecified pigmentation disorder (L81.9).
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the L81 range?
Of the 11 codes in this range, 10 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 L81 range classify?
The range classifies other disorders of pigmentation. 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.
