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L25.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin

Compare with another code for L25.1Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: YES. This is a valid, specific, and billable ICD-10-CM reference.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
4 Excludes1 · 12 Excludes2 · 1 use-additional code

Billable · FY2027A valid, specific ICD-10-CM code, reportable for dates of service in FY2027.

What you need to know

Source: CMS/NCHS Official ICD-10-CM tabular notes, quoted. From the CMS/NCHS tabular list for the release in force. A note the category or block publishes applies to this code too, and is marked with where it comes from.

Use additional codeReport with this code when documented
  • Use additional code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)
Excludes1from L25Not reported with this code unless documented as unrelated
  • allergic contact dermatitis (L23.-)
  • allergy NOS (T78.40)
  • dermatitis NOS (L30.9)
  • irritant contact dermatitis (L24.-)
Excludes2Not included here; may be reported together
  • dermatitis due to ingested drugs and medicaments (L27.0-L27.1)
  • dermatitis due to ingested substances (L27.-) (from L25)
  • dermatitis of eyelid (H01.1-) (from L25)
  • eczema of external ear (H60.5-) (from L25)

+8 more in Instructions

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 12: Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous TissueL20-L30 Dermatitis and eczemaL25 Unspecified contact dermatitis

Most relevant related codes MedCoder-derived

Read off the official notes above and this code’s own position in the tabular list. Which to report is a documentation question; Compare shows the two side by side.

CompareCheck ClaimView Related Codes

Inpatient Payment Groups (MS-DRG)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

MS-DRGs this diagnosis helps define, as principal or secondary, per the CMS ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG Definitions Manual v44, Appendix B.

  • MS-DRG 606 — MINOR SKIN DISORDERS WITH MCC (MDC 09)
  • MS-DRG 607 — MINOR SKIN DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC (MDC 09)

A diagnosis appearing in a group's logic does not by itself determine the DRG assigned to a stay; the grouper uses the full claim.

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for L25.1 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2027Effective: October 1, 2026

Trace:FY2027 changesChange historyRelease, file and checksum

Notes without a marker are published on L25.1 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Excludes1 — Not Coded Here

Conditions generally not reported together with this code (Excludes1) -- an error unless the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Source: inherited from L25

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

Use Additional Code

Supplementary codes the tabular list directs you to add.

  • Use additional code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)

Coder workflow for L25.1

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code L25.1

  1. Unspecified does not mean incorrect. When the record gives no greater specificity, L25.1 may be the appropriate code. No code beside it in this subcategory is more specific; when the record documents what the title leaves unspecified, look the documented term up in the Alphabetic Index, which may lead to a code outside this subcategory. An unspecified code is for records that do not provide the detail a more specific code needs; a query, not an assumption, is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18, I.B.1).

    See the relationships section · Guide: Other vs unspecified (NEC vs NOS) →

  2. L25.1’s title joins a condition with an associated condition or complication. Confirm each component is documented. Where the classification presumes the link through the “with” convention, only a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it. A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; a required second code for the stage, type or manifestation is still reported when the notes ask for it (Guidelines I.B.9, I.A.15).

    Guide: Combination codes →

  3. Check the Excludes1 note: if the documentation supports a condition named there, do not simply proceed with L25.1. Excludes1 conditions are not reported together with this code unless the record shows they are unrelated (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

    See the official tabular notes

Choose the right path

  1. Does the record document the detail this title leaves unspecified?
    Yes → Look the documented term up in the Alphabetic Index; the code it leads to may sit outside this subcategory.
    No → Continue — L25.1 is appropriate when the documentation goes no further.
  2. Does the documentation support a condition named in L25.1’s Excludes1 note?
    Yes → Do not simply proceed: review the excluded code. Both are reported only when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated.
    No → Continue.

    ReviewL23, T78.40, L30.9, L24

Consider L25.1. Then work the Use Additional Code note, and confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement
Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).
The associated condition or complication
Whether the associated condition the title names is documented; the “with” convention presumes some links, and a provider statement that the conditions are unrelated defeats it (Guidelines I.A.15).
The conditions the Use Additional Code note names
Reported with this code when documented; a conditional instruction (“if applicable”, “if known”) applies only when the record supports it.
Any detail beyond this code’s title
What the record states that a more specific code would capture — or its absence, which itself supports the unspecified code.

Official instructions as workflow

  • Excludes1 — check before selecting L25.1(4 notes)

    Coding workflow: If the documentation supports a condition named in this note, do not simply proceed with L25.1: the two are not reported together. The one exception is when the record shows the two conditions are unrelated to each other.

    CompareL23, T78.40, L30.9, L24

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.a

  • Excludes2 — not part of L25.1(12 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in L25.1. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareL27, H01.1, H60.5, L71.0, D71, L08.0

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

  • Use Additional Code — after identifying L25.1(1 note)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the documentation supports the additional code(s) the note names, and report them with L25.1 when it does. Where the instruction is conditional (“if applicable”, “if known”), it applies only when the record documents the condition.

    See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.13

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Documentation: The provider documents the condition in the terms of this code’s title and records no further detail.

Coding question: Is a more specific code supportable?

Path: No sibling in this subcategory is more specific; look the documented detail up in the Alphabetic Index.

Reason: A more specific code needs documentation of the distinguishing element; without it the unspecified code is appropriate, and a provider query is the route to specificity (Guidelines I.A.9.b, I.B.18).

Documentation: Both the condition L25.1 describes and a condition named in its Excludes1 note are documented for the same encounter.

Coding question: Can both codes be reported?

Path: Review the Excludes1 note and the excluded code, and look for a provider statement on whether the two conditions are related.

Reason: Excludes1 means the two are not coded together; the exception is when the record shows the conditions are unrelated to each other (Guidelines I.A.12.a).

ReviewL23, T78.40, L30.9, L24

Documentation: Only one of the components this code’s title joins is documented.

Coding question: Is L25.1 supported?

Path: Review the code for the documented component on its own.

Reason: A combination code is assigned only when it fully identifies the documented conditions; otherwise the documented component takes its own code (Guidelines I.B.9).

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Don’t confuse L25.1 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of L25.1 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

  • L23— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of allergic contact dermatitis moves the case to L23; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs L23 →

  • T78.40— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of allergy NOS moves the case to T78.40; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs T78.40 →

  • L30.9— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of dermatitis NOS moves the case to L30.9; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs L30.9 →

  • L24— Excludes1 conflict (Excludes1 — generally not reported together)

    Not coded here — the tabular list excludes this pair for the same encounter.

    Not reported together with this code, except where the two conditions are documented as unrelated.

    What moves you there: Documentation of irritant contact dermatitis moves the case to L24; the two are not reported together unless documented as unrelated.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs L24 →

  • L27.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of dermatitis due to ingested drugs and medicaments adds L27.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs L27.0 →

  • L27.1— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

    Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

    A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

    What moves you there: Documentation of dermatitis due to ingested drugs and medicaments adds L27.1; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: L25.1 vs L27.1 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Coding context

Guidelines, coding notes, decision aids, relationships (with MS-DRG and CCSR classification), hierarchy, HCC, coverage and the context map: what a coder reaches for after the core. Each section names whether it is official source data, a MedCoder-derived relationship or MedCoder editorial.

Code Overview

Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (L25.1).

MedCoder summary Summary composed by MedCoder from this code's official ICD-10-CM record. The tabular instructional notes themselves appear verbatim below.

Decision Points

The directives on this code's own record, as a pre-claim checklist.

  1. 1 Use Additional Code instruction — report the named additional code(s) when the documentation supports them. See the Use Additional Code notes
  2. 4 Excludes1 entries — codes named there are generally not reported together with this code (Guidelines I.A.12.a). See the Excludes1 notes
  3. 12 Excludes2 entries — those conditions are not part of this code and may be reported additionally when documented. See the Excludes2 notes

Checklist rows are derived from this code's own official directives; the wording of each check is MedCoder editorial. The official notes themselves are in the sections each row links to.

Verify Before Coding

  • No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder-derived relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name L25.1 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 2 Excludes1 notes across 2 chapters: L53 — Other erythematous conditions (via L25.-), T78.4 — Other and unspecified allergy (via L25.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

Referenced by 4 Excludes2 notes across 2 chapters: L27 — Dermatitis due to substances taken internally (via L25.-), L30 — Other and unspecified dermatitis (via L25.-), T81 — Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified, T88 — Other complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified.

These codes’ tabular lists name this diagnosis as distinct — both may be reported when both are documented.

Referenced by 22 Code First instructions across 2 chapters: F54 — Psychological and behavioral factors associated with disorders or diseases classified elsewhere (via L25.-), T36 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of systemic antibiotics (via L25.-), T36-T39 — Antibiotics & Anti-infectives (T36-T39) (via L25.-), T36-T50 — Poisoning by, adverse effects of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances (T36-T50) (via L25.-), T37 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of other systemic anti-infectives and antiparasitics (via L25.-), T38 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of hormones and their synthetic substitutes and antagonists, not elsewhere classified (via L25.-), T39 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics (via L25.-), T40 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of narcotics and psychodysleptics [hallucinogens] (via L25.-), T40-T41 — Analgesics & Antipyretics (T40-T41) (via L25.-), T41 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of anesthetics and therapeutic gases (via L25.-), T42 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of antiepileptic, sedative- hypnotic and antiparkinsonism drugs (via L25.-), T42-T43 — Anticonvulsants & Psychotropics (T42-T43) (via L25.-), T43 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified (via L25.-), T44 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs primarily affecting the autonomic nervous system (via L25.-), T44-T46 — Cardiovascular & Gastrointestinal (T44-T46) (via L25.-), T45 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of primarily systemic and hematological agents, not elsewhere classified (via L25.-), T46 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of agents primarily affecting the cardiovascular system (via L25.-), T47 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of agents primarily affecting the gastrointestinal system (via L25.-), T47-T50 — Hormones & Systemic Agents (T47-T50) (via L25.-), T48 — Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of agents primarily acting on smooth and skeletal muscles and the respiratory system (via L25.-), +2 more.

Each of these codes carries a Code First note naming this condition — when that code is reported, THIS code is sequenced first, ahead of it.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2027)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2027 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 2 MS-DRGs: DRG 606 (MDC 09), DRG 607 (MDC 09).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):INJ030 — Drug induced or toxic related condition (default); SKN005 — Contact dermatitis.

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical categories (Drug induced or toxic related condition, Contact dermatitis).

L24.9 — Irritant contact dermatitis, unspecified cause, L24.A0 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to friction or contact with body fluids, unspecified, L24.A1 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva, L24.A2 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to fecal, urinary or dual incontinence, L24.A9 — Irritant contact dermatitis due friction or contact with other specified body fluids, L24.B0 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to unspecified stoma or fistula, L24.B1 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to digestive stoma or fistula, L24.B2 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to respiratory stoma or fistula, L24.B3 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to fecal or urinary stoma or fistula, L25.0 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to cosmetics, L25.2 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to dyes, L25.3 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to other chemical products, L25.4 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to food in contact with skin, L25.5 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to plants, except food, L25.8 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to other agents, L25.9 — Unspecified contact dermatitis, unspecified cause, L43.2 — Lichenoid drug reaction, L53.0 — Toxic erythema, L56.8 — Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation, L56.9 — Acute skin change due to ultraviolet radiation, unspecified, +274 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main terms “Dermatitis”, “Rash”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

L24.89 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to other agents (caterpillar), L24.9 — Irritant contact dermatitis, unspecified cause (contact, irritant), L24.A0 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to friction or contact with body fluids, unspecified (contact, irritant, due to, friction), L24.A1 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva (contact, irritant, due to, body fluids, saliva), L24.A2 — Irritant contact dermatitis due to fecal, urinary or dual incontinence (contact, irritant, due to, body fluids, urine), L24.A9 — Irritant contact dermatitis due friction or contact with other specified body fluids (due to, exudate), L24.B0 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to unspecified stoma or fistula (contact, irritant, related to, stoma or fistula), L24.B1 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to digestive stoma or fistula (contact, irritant, related to, jejunostomy), L24.B2 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to respiratory stoma or fistula (contact, irritant, related to, tracheostomy), L24.B3 — Irritant contact dermatitis related to fecal or urinary stoma or fistula (contact, irritant, related to, ileostomy), L26 — Exfoliative dermatitis (exfoliative, exfoliativa), L27.0 — Generalized skin eruption due to drugs and medicaments taken internally (drug), L27.1 — Localized skin eruption due to drugs and medicaments taken internally (due to, drugs and medicaments, localized skin eruption), L27.2 — Dermatitis due to ingested food (due to, fish), L27.8 — Dermatitis due to other substances taken internally (arsenical), L27.9 — Dermatitis due to unspecified substance taken internally (due to, internal agent), L28.0 — Lichen simplex chronicus (lichenified NEC), L30.0 — Nummular dermatitis (nummular), L30.1 — Dyshidrosis [pompholyx] (dyshydrotic), L30.3 — Infective dermatitis (infective), +96 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of L25.1 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run L25.1 with these 19 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Excludes2

Use Additional Code (15)

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Code First instructions (22)

Clinical classification (CCSR)

MS-DRG Grouper

MDC crossing

  • MDC 09 — Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 7,378 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2027

Index entries

  • Dermatitis (eczematous), contact (occupational), due to, drugs in contact with skin[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Dermatitis (eczematous), due to, drugs and medicaments (generalized) (internal use), in contact with skin[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Rash (toxic), drug (internal use), contact[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027

Nearest codes

Change history

  • FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Reference

Index terms and tables, published questions and FAQ, every source behind this page with its release and checksum, the date-of-service check and the complete change history.

Indexed Clinical Terms (3)

Official source data — entries quoted as published, in the Index’s own lookup phrasing

Clinical term phrases from the official ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that map to this code. These are alphabetic-index entries shown as the Index writes them — lookup phrasing, not necessarily the wording of a final diagnosis.

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data
CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2027 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2026 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Claim edits Official source data
CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v44.0 (October 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Inpatient payment groups Official source data
CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v44 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data
CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page
Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder-derived relationship
Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears
Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder editorial explanation
Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Current data releases:ICD-10-CM FY2027 · ICD-10-PCS FY2027 · HCPCS October 2026 · MS-DRG v44 · Medicare Code Editor v44.0 · NCCI PTP Q4 2026 · MUE Q4 2026 · NCD code lists 2026-01 · LCD export September 28, 2026 · All releases and sources

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder-derived relationship · MedCoder editorial explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates · CMS coding rules

Cite this page

Reference this page in a research guide, syllabus or article. The release is included because code content changes each year.

MedCoder.ai. "L25.1 — Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/l25.1-unspecified-contact-dermatitis-due-to-drugs-in-contact-with-skin

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin

No changes since FY2016 — additions, deletions, description changes and billable-status changes are tracked through FY2027, and none are recorded for this code. Note changes are tracked from FY2027 only.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to L25.1 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the L25 family