Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L98.4

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Code:
L98.4
ICD-10 Code for:
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    (L00–L99)
    • Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
      (L80-L99)
      • Other disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue, not elsewhere classified
        (L98)

L98.4 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified

Non-specific codes like L98.4 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified:

  • L98.41 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.411 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock limited to breakdown of skin - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.412 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with fat layer exposed - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.413 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with necrosis of muscle - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.414 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with necrosis of bone - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.415 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.416 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.418 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with other specified severity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.419 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of buttock with unspecified severity - BILLABLE CODE

  • L98.42 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.421 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back limited to breakdown of skin - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.422 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with fat layer exposed - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.423 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with necrosis of muscle - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.424 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with necrosis of bone - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.425 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.426 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.428 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with other specified severity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.429 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of back with unspecified severity - BILLABLE CODE

  • L98.49 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.491 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites limited to breakdown of skin - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.492 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with fat layer exposed - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.493 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with necrosis of muscle - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.494 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with necrosis of bone - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.495 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.496 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with bone involvement without evidence of necrosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.498 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with other specified severity - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use L98.499 for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity - BILLABLE CODE

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Chronic ulcer of skin NOS
  • Tropical ulcer NOS
  • Ulcer of skin NOS

Type 2 Excludes

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.
  • pressure ulcer pressure area L89
  • gangrene I96
  • skin infections L00 L08
  • specific infections classified to A00 B99
  • ulcer of lower limb NEC L97
  • varicose ulcer I83.0 I83.93

Patient Education


Skin Conditions

What does your skin do?

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers the entire outside of your body. There are many ways that your skin protects your body and helps keep you healthy. For example, it:

  • Holds body fluids in, which helps prevent you from getting dehydrated
  • Keeps out harmful germs, which helps prevent infections
  • Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain
  • Helps control your body temperature
  • Makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it
  • Shields your body against heat and light

What problems and conditions can affect your skin?

There are many different problems and conditions which can affect your skin. Some of them can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as itching, burning, redness, and rashes. They might also affect your appearance. Some of the more common skin conditions include:

  • Acne, which causes pimples when hair follicles under your skin get clogged up
  • Burns
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Dandruff, flaking of the skin on your scalp (the top of your head)
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis), which causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin
  • Hives, which are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin
  • Insect bites
  • Psoriasis, which causes itchy, scaly red patches
  • Skin cancer
  • Skin infections

How can I keep my skin healthy?

Since your skin protects your body in many ways, it's important to try to keep your skin healthy. For example, you can:

  • Wear the right protective equipment, like gloves, long sleeves, knee and elbow pads, or helmets to protect against cuts, bumps and scrapes.
  • If you do get a cut or scrape, clean it right away with soap and warm water. Put on a bandage to protect it while it heals.
  • When you are spending time outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellant to prevent insect bites.
  • Prevent sunburn by covering up and using sunscreen when outdoors.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • When you take a shower or bath, use warm (not hot) water. Use mild cleansers and wash gently (don't scrub).
  • Use moisturizers, like lotions, creams, or ointments, to prevent dry skin.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases


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Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.