L89 vs L98.4
L89 (Pressure ulcer) compared with L98.4 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified), 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. L98.4 carries an Excludes2 note covering L89: “pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| L89Pressure ulcer | L98.4Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Non-billable header | Non-billable header |
| Classification | L00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99) | L00-L99 — Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99) |
| Definition | Pressure ulcer is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L89). | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L98.4). |
| Includes | bed sore decubitus ulcer plaster ulcer pressure area | Chronic ulcer of skin NOS Tropical ulcer NOS Ulcer of skin NOS |
| Code first | any associated gangrene (I96) | — |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources