Exfoliative dermatitis
In Dermatitis and eczema (L20-L30), chapter 12: Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
- L26 is billable and valid on claims for FY 2027. If the record has more detail, check the other codes under L20-L30 below.
- As a secondary diagnosis it is not a CC or MCC, so it doesn't raise the MS-DRG payment.
- Doesn't count toward a Medicare Advantage risk score (no HCC in V28).
- AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator classes it as chronic: expected to last 12 months or longer and to limit daily life or need ongoing care.
Also indexed as: Dermatitis, exfoliative, exfoliativa; Dermatosis, exfoliativa; Hebra's, pityriasis; Pityriasis, Hebra's
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Instructional notes
Includes: conditions that are coded here
- Hebra's pityriasis
Excludes1: not coded here, use a different code
- Ritter's disease (L00)
Also applies, from Dermatitis and eczema (L20-L30)
These notes sit on L20-L30 and apply to every code under it, including L26.
Excludes2: not included here, code separately if applicable
Official coding guidelines
From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2027 (CMS and NCHS). Links open the PDF at the right page.
Covers assigning pressure ulcer codes by site and stage, including unstageable, healing, healed, and progressing ulcers, and coding healing or progressing non-pressure chronic ulcers.
- Pressure ulcer stage codes (page 58)
- Non-Pressure Chronic Ulcers (page 60)
Other codes under L20-L30
Dermatitis and eczema (L20-L30)
- L20Atopic dermatitis
- L21Seborrheic dermatitis
- L22Diaper dermatitis
- L23Allergic contact dermatitis
- L24Irritant contact dermatitis
- L25Unspecified contact dermatitis
- L26Exfoliative dermatitis(this code)
- L27Dermatitis due to substances taken internally
- L28Lichen simplex chronicus and prurigo
- L29Pruritus
- L30Other and unspecified dermatitis
L26 MS-DRGs
As the principal diagnosis, L26 groups to MS-DRG 606 or 607 (v44.0). Which one applies depends on procedures performed, secondary diagnoses (CC/MCC), and the patient's age and discharge status.
Related conditions
Grouped by AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR), which sorts every diagnosis code into clinically meaningful categories.
L26 is in Other specified inflammatory condition of skin (SKN002, its default category), with 164 codes. Others in it:
- B65.3 Cercarial dermatitis
- E08.620 Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with diabetic dermatitis
- E09.620 Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis
- E10.620 Type 1 diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis
- E11.620 Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis
- E13.620 Other specified diabetes mellitus with diabetic dermatitis
- L10.0 Pemphigus vulgaris
- L10.1 Pemphigus vegetans
Medicare coverage articles listing L26
These 5 Medicare billing and coding articles list L26 as a diagnosis that supports medical necessity for the services they cover. From the CMS Medicare Coverage Database; check your own contractor's article before billing.
About the condition
Plain-language background from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), not coding guidance.
Rashes
A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Many rashes are itchy, red, painful, and irritated. Some rashes can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. Rashes are a symptom of many different medical problems. Other causes include irritating substances and allergies. Certain genes can make people more likely to get rashes.
Read more about rashes on MedlinePlusCode history
Valid since FY2016, when ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. No changes since.
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Legacy crosswalk from the CMS General Equivalence Mappings (last updated 2018).
- 695.89 Other specified erythematous conditions (approximate)