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L55.0 ICD-10-CM Code: Sunburn of first degree

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

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; the Instructions section marks which is which.

The tabular list publishes no instructional note for this code itself.

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.

Don’t confuse L55.0 with…

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

The codes most likely to be picked instead of L55.0 — 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.

  • L55.9— Specificity relationship (Review)

    Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

    Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

    What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “Sunburn, unspecified” takes L55.9; specificity in the record moves it back here.

    Full comparison: L55.0 vs L55.9 →

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

Sunburn of first degree is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (L55.0).

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

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 L55.0 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 4 Excludes1 notes across 2 chapters: K13.0 — Diseases of lips (via L55.-), T07 — Unspecified multiple injuries (via L55.-), T66 — Radiation sickness, unspecified (via L55.-), T67 — Effects of heat and light (via L55.-).

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

Referenced by 15 Excludes2 notes across 3 chapters: L20 — Atopic dermatitis (via L55.-), L20-L30 — Dermatitis and eczema (L20-L30) (via L55.-), L21 — Seborrheic dermatitis (via L55.-), L22 — Diaper dermatitis (via L55.-), L23 — Allergic contact dermatitis (via L55.-), L24 — Irritant contact dermatitis (via L55.-), L25 — Unspecified contact dermatitis (via L55.-), L26 — Exfoliative dermatitis (via L55.-), L27 — Dermatitis due to substances taken internally (via L55.-), L28 — Lichen simplex chronicus and prurigo (via L55.-), L29 — Pruritus (via L55.-), L30 — Other and unspecified dermatitis (via L55.-), T20-T32 — Burns and corrosions (T20-T32) (via L55.-), T67 — Effects of heat and light (via L55.-), X32 — Exposure to sunlight (via L55.-).

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

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):SKN002 — Other specified inflammatory condition of skin (default).

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 category (Other specified inflammatory condition of skin).

L51.8 — Other erythema multiforme, L51.9 — Erythema multiforme, unspecified, L52 — Erythema nodosum, L53.0 — Toxic erythema, L53.1 — Erythema annulare centrifugum, L53.2 — Erythema marginatum, L53.3 — Other chronic figurate erythema, L53.8 — Other specified erythematous conditions, L53.9 — Erythematous condition, unspecified, L54 — Erythema in diseases classified elsewhere, L55.1 — Sunburn of second degree, L55.2 — Sunburn of third degree, L55.9 — Sunburn, unspecified, L66.1 — Lichen planopilaris, L66.10 — Lichen planopilaris, unspecified, L66.11 — Classic lichen planopilaris, L66.12 — Frontal fibrosing alopecia, L66.19 — Other lichen planopilaris, L70.0 — Acne vulgaris, L70.1 — Acne conglobata, +145 more

Same Index main term, other category

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

L51.0 — Nonbullous erythema multiforme (multiforme, nonbullous), L51.1 — Stevens-Johnson syndrome (multiforme, conjunctiva), L51.8 — Other erythema multiforme (multiforme, specified NEC), L51.9 — Erythema multiforme, unspecified (iris), L52 — Erythema nodosum (nodosum), L53.0 — Toxic erythema (toxic, toxicum NEC), L53.1 — Erythema annulare centrifugum (annulare), L53.2 — Erythema marginatum (marginatum), L53.3 — Other chronic figurate erythema (figuratum perstans), L53.8 — Other specified erythematous conditions (palmar), L53.9 — Erythematous condition, unspecified, L54 — Erythema in diseases classified elsewhere (in diseases classified elsewhere), L56.8 — Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation (due to, tanning bed), L57.8 — Other skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation (due to, tanning bed, chronic), L59.0 — Erythema ab igne [dermatitis ab igne] (ab igne), L95.1 — Erythema elevatum diutinum (elevatum diutinum), P83.1 — Neonatal erythema toxicum (neonatorum, toxic), P83.88 — Other specified conditions of integument specific to newborn (neonatorum), Q80.3 — Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma (ichthyosiforme congenitum bullous), T69.1 — Chilblains (pernio), +12 more

Contextual Map

Every relationship of L55.0 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 L55.0 with these 12 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

  • K13.0 — Diseases of lips[Excludes1](via L55.-): “cheilitis due to radiation-related disorders (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T07 — Unspecified multiple injuries[Excludes1](via L55.-): “sunburn (L55.-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T66 — Radiation sickness, unspecified[Excludes1](via L55.-): “radiation related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • T67 — Effects of heat and light[Excludes1](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027

Referenced by Excludes2 notes (15)

  • L20 — Atopic dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L20-L30 — Dermatitis and eczema (L20-L30)[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L21 — Seborrheic dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L22 — Diaper dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L23 — Allergic contact dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L24 — Irritant contact dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L25 — Unspecified contact dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • L26 — Exfoliative dermatitis[Excludes2](via L55.-): “radiation-related disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L55-L59)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2027
  • and 7 more

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

  • Erythema, erythematous (infectional) (inflammation), solare[Index term]— CMS ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries · icd10cm-fy2027
  • Sunburn, first degree[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 (2)

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 20, 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. "L55.0 — Sunburn of first degree." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/l55.0-sunburn-of-first-degree

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Sunburn of first degree

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 L55.0 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the L55 family