L97 vs L98.4
L97 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified) 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 L97: “ulcer of lower limb NEC (L97.-)”
Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.
Side by side
| L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified | 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 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L97). | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L98.4). |
| Includes | chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS non-healing ulcer of skin non-infected sinus of skin trophic ulcer NOS | Chronic ulcer of skin NOS Tropical ulcer NOS Ulcer of skin NOS |
| Code first | any associated underlying condition, such as: 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