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Compare/L08 vs L89

L08 vs L89

L08 (Other local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue) compared with L89 (Pressure ulcer), 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. L89 carries an Excludes2 note covering L08: “skin infections (L00-L08)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

L08Other local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissueL89Pressure ulcer
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: L08.0, L08.1, L08.81, L08.82, L08.89

Non-billable header

Report instead: L89.000, L89.001, L89.002, L89.003, L89.004

ClassificationL00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)L00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)
DefinitionOther local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L08).Pressure ulcer is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L89).
Includes—
bed sore
decubitus ulcer
plaster ulcer
pressure area
Use additional code
code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.
—
Code first—
any associated gangrene (I96)
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Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources