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Compare/L21 vs L85.3

L21 vs L85.3

L21 (Seborrheic dermatitis) compared with L85.3 (Xerosis cutis), 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. L21 carries an Excludes2 note covering L85.3: “dry skin dermatitis (L85.3)”

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

Side by side

L21Seborrheic dermatitisL85.3Xerosis cutis
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: L21.0, L21.1, L21.8, L21.9

Billable
ClassificationL00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)L00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)
DefinitionSeborrheic dermatitis is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L21).Xerosis cutis is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (L85.3).
Includes
Dry skin dermatitis

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources