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ICD-10/L03.2

L03.2 ICD-10-CM Code: Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck

L03.2 is the authoritative medical code for Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck. This classification is used in medical billing and clinical recording to specify the clinical criteria for cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck (ICD-10-CM L03.2), ensuring healthcare documentation aligns with current federal coding standards.

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L03.2). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission. Excludes2 (not included here): cellulitis of anal and rectal region (K61.-); cellulitis of external auditory canal (H60.1); cellulitis of eyelid (H00.0); cellulitis of female external genital organs (N76.4); cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus (H04.3); cellulitis of male external genital organs (N48.2, N49.-); cellulitis of mouth (K12.2); cellulitis of nose (J34.0); eosinophilic cellulitis Wells; febrile neutrophilic dermatosis Sweet; lymphangitis (chronic) (subacute) (I89.1); hordeolum (H00.0); infective dermatitis (L30.3); local infections of skin classified in Chapter 1; lupus panniculitis (L93.2); panniculitis NOS (M79.3); panniculitis of neck and back (M54.0-); Perlèche NOS (K13.0); Perlèche due to candidiasis (B37.0); Perlèche due to riboflavin deficiency (E53.0); pyogenic granuloma (L98.0); relapsing panniculitis Weber-Christian; viral warts (B07.-); zoster (B02.-). Use additional code: code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent..

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for L03.2 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

  • cellulitis of anal and rectal region (K61.-)
  • cellulitis of external auditory canal (H60.1)
  • cellulitis of eyelid (H00.0)
  • cellulitis of female external genital organs (N76.4)
  • cellulitis of lacrimal apparatus (H04.3)
  • cellulitis of male external genital organs (N48.2, N49.-)
  • cellulitis of mouth (K12.2)
  • cellulitis of nose (J34.0)
  • eosinophilic cellulitis Wells
  • febrile neutrophilic dermatosis Sweet
  • lymphangitis (chronic) (subacute) (I89.1)
  • hordeolum (H00.0)
  • infective dermatitis (L30.3)
  • local infections of skin classified in Chapter 1
  • lupus panniculitis (L93.2)
  • panniculitis NOS (M79.3)
  • panniculitis of neck and back (M54.0-)
  • Perlèche NOS (K13.0)
  • Perlèche due to candidiasis (B37.0)
  • Perlèche due to riboflavin deficiency (E53.0)
  • pyogenic granuloma (L98.0)
  • relapsing panniculitis Weber-Christian
  • viral warts (B07.-)
  • zoster (B02.-)

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can L03.2 be billed directly?

No. L03.2 (Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face and neck) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Can L03.2 be reported alongside related conditions?

Per official ICD-10-CM Excludes2 instructions, L03.2 and the following are not considered part of each other and may both be reported when both conditions are present: cellulitis of anal and rectal region (K61.-); cellulitis of external auditory canal (H60.1); cellulitis of eyelid (H00.0); cellulitis of female external genital organs (N76.4).

Is an additional code needed with L03.2?

Use additional code(s) to specify: code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent..

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to L03.2 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • L03.123 — Acute lymphangitis of right upper limb
  • L03.124 — Acute lymphangitis of left upper limb
  • L03.125 — Acute lymphangitis of right lower limb
  • L03.126 — Acute lymphangitis of left lower limb
  • L03.129 — Acute lymphangitis of unspecified part of limb
  • L03.21 — Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of face
  • L03.211 — Cellulitis of face
  • L03.212 — Acute lymphangitis of face
  • L03.213 — Periorbital cellulitis
  • L03.22 — Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis of neck

View all codes in the L03 family