Alphabetic Index FY2027

L89

Pressure ulcer

FY2027Chapter 12: Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue/L80–L99 Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Non-billable headerNot valid on its own. Use one of the more specific codes under it.

L89 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code category for pressure ulcer. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are L89.0 Pressure ulcer of elbow, L89.1 Pressure ulcer of back, L89.2 Pressure ulcer of hip, L89.3 Pressure ulcer of buttock and 5 more. Its coding notes include a Code first instruction and 15 Excludes2 entries.

Guidelines tips

From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.

Each pressure ulcer gets its own L89 code for site and stage. A healing ulcer is coded to its documented stage, and deep tissue injury has its own stage code.

Guidelines I.C.12.a.1; I.C.12.a.5; I.C.12.a.7Pressure ulcer stagesRead the official text

Pressure ulcer stage, ulcer depth, BMI, NIHSS and coma scale may be coded from other clinicians' documentation. The diagnosis itself must be documented by the patient's provider.

Guidelines I.B.14Documentation by clinicians other than the providerRead the official text

Unstageable and unspecified stage are different codes. A completely healed ulcer at admission is not coded. If the stage progresses during an inpatient stay, two codes are assigned for the same site.

Guidelines I.C.12.a.2; I.C.12.a.4; I.C.12.a.6Pressure ulcers: unstageable, healed and progressingRead the official text

Code first

If the underlying condition listed here is present and known, sequence it first.

This code
  • any associated gangrene (I96)

Excludes2

Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.

This code
Also from chapter/block level (10 notes)
Inherited from Chapter 12 Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
  • 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.-)

Includes

Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.

This code
  • bed sore
  • decubitus ulcer
  • plaster ulcer
  • pressure area
  • pressure sore

More specific codes under L89 9