L03 vs M79.3
L03 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis) compared with M79.3 (Panniculitis, unspecified), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).
Can these codes be reported together?
Yes, when both are documented. L03 carries an Excludes2 note covering M79.3: “panniculitis NOS (M79.3)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| L03Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis | M79.3Panniculitis, unspecified | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Billable |
| Classification | L00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99) | M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) |
| Definition | Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L03). | Panniculitis, unspecified is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M79.3). |
| Use additional code | code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent. | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources