L89

Header — not billable

Pressure ulcer

The ICD-10 code for pressure ulcer is L89.

L89 is a non-billable header code. It groups related conditions but cannot be used on its own for reimbursement — select one of the 9 more specific codes below.

Clinical notes

Code first

This code represents a manifestation of an underlying disease. Coding convention requires the underlying (etiology) code to be sequenced first, with this code listed second.

any associated gangrene (I96)

Excludes2 (not included here)

An Excludes2 note means the excluded condition is not part of this one, but a patient can have both at the same time — in that case both codes may be reported together.

decubitus (trophic) ulcer of cervix (uteri) (N86)
diabetic ulcers (E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622, E13.621, E13.622)
non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin (L97.-)
skin infections (L00-L08)
varicose ulcer (I83.0, I83.2)

Includes

Terms listed here further define or give examples of the conditions grouped under this code — they describe what the code covers, not a separate diagnosis.

bed sore
decubitus ulcer
plaster ulcer
pressure area
pressure sore

Documentation support

General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.

•This is a non-billable header code. Documentation must support a more specific child code before this diagnosis can be reported on a claim.
•This code represents a manifestation. Documentation should identify the underlying condition, which must be coded first.
•As a general rule, code to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation in the medical record.

L89

Clinical notes

Code first

Excludes2 (not included here)

Includes

Documentation support

Child codes under L89

Related codes in this category