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L97.91 ICD-10-CM Code: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg

Compare with another code for L97.91Check this code on a claim

Billing Status: NO. This is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code: report a more specific billable code beneath it.

Coding at a Glance

Tabular directives
6 inclusion terms · 3 Excludes2 · 8 code-first instructions

Not billable · FY2027A non-billable heading in the tabular list: report a more specific code beneath it.

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.

Code firstfrom L97Sequence the underlying condition before this code

+4 more in Instructions

Excludes2from L97Not included here; may be reported together
  • pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
  • skin infections (L00-L08)
  • specific infections classified to A00-B99
Includesfrom L97What L97 covers
  • chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
  • non-healing ulcer of skin
  • non-infected sinus of skin
  • trophic ulcer NOS

+2 more in Instructions

Where it sits Source: CMS/NCHS

Under:Chapter 12: Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous TissueL80-L99 Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissueL97 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classifiedL97.9 Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of lower leg

Codes under L97.91 (8)

  • L97.911Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg limited to breakdown of skinBillable
  • L97.912Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with fat layer exposedBillable
  • L97.913Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with necrosis of muscleBillable
  • L97.914Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with necrosis of boneBillable
  • L97.915Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with muscle involvement without evidence of necrosisBillable
  • L97.916Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with bone involvement without evidence of necrosisBillable
  • L97.918Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with other specified severityBillable
  • L97.919Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg with unspecified severityBillable

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

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for L97.91 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 L97.91 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
  • non-healing ulcer of skin
  • non-infected sinus of skin
  • trophic ulcer NOS
  • tropical ulcer NOS
  • ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS

Source: inherited from L97

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

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

Source: inherited from L97

Code First

Underlying conditions that must be sequenced before this code.

Source: inherited from L97

Coder workflow for L97.91

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

Before you code L97.91

  1. L97.91 is not reportable as written. Select the more specific code beneath it that the documentation supports. Codes are reported to the highest level of specificity the classification provides (Guidelines I.B.2).

    ReviewL97.911, L97.912, L97.913, L97.914, L97.915, L97.916, L97.918, L97.919

    See the relationships section · Guide: How to choose an ICD-10-CM code →

  2. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: right). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

    ReviewL97.92 · left, L97.90 · unspecified

    Guide: Laterality coding →

Choose the right path

  1. Does the documentation support one of the more specific codes beneath L97.91?
    Yes → Select that code and continue the checks below on its own page.
    No → L97.91 cannot be reported as written. Where the codes beneath it include an unspecified code, that code applies when the record goes no further; otherwise query for the missing detail.

    ReviewL97.911, L97.912, L97.913, L97.914, L97.915, L97.916, L97.918, L97.919

  2. Is the underlying (etiologic) condition the Code First note names documented?
    Yes → Sequence the underlying condition first, then the code beneath L97.91.
    No → Continue; do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewI96, I70.23, I70.24, I70.33, I70.34, I70.43

  3. Is the side documented?
    Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
    No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

    ReviewL97.92 · left, L97.90 · unspecified

Report the code beneath L97.91 that the documentation supports, not L97.91 itself. Then confirm that code is valid for the date of service on its own page.

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).
Anatomical site
At the most specific level the record states; a site the classification separates cannot be assumed from a procedure or a measurement.
Laterality
Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).
Acuity
Acute or chronic as documented; when both are documented and separate codes exist, both are reported with the acute code first (Guidelines I.B.8).
The underlying (etiologic) condition
Named in the Code First note; sequenced before this code when documented (Guidelines I.A.13).
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

  • Excludes2 — not part of L97.91(3 notes)

    Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in L97.91. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

    CompareL89

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

  • Code First — sequencing check(8 notes)

    Coding workflow: Check whether the underlying or etiologic condition the note names is documented. When it is, sequence it before L97.91. Do not add an underlying condition the record does not document.

    ReviewI96, I70.23, I70.24, I70.33, I70.34, I70.43

    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: The record documents the condition on one side only.

Coding question: Which code in this family applies?

Path: Select the sibling code for the documented side.

Reason: Laterality is assigned from the documented side; the unspecified-side code is for records that state no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

ReviewL97.92 · left, L97.90 · unspecified

Documentation: The underlying condition the Code First note names is documented alongside this condition.

Coding question: How are the two sequenced?

Path: Review the Code First note.

Reason: The underlying condition is sequenced first and the manifestation follows (Guidelines I.A.13).

ReviewI96, I70.23, I70.24, I70.33, I70.34, I70.43

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 L97.91 with…

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

The codes most likely to be picked instead of L97.91 — 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.

  • L97.92— Laterality relationship (Review)

    Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

    The same condition with a different side named (the opposite side, both sides, or none); the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A documented left side moves the case to L97.92.

    Full comparison: L97.91 vs L97.92 →

  • L97.90— Laterality relationship (Review)

    Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

    The same condition with a different side named (the opposite side, both sides, or none); the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

    What moves you there: A record that states no side takes L97.90; a documented side moves it back to a sided code.

    Full comparison: L97.91 vs L97.90 →

  • L89— 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 pressure ulcer (pressure area) adds L89; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: L97.91 vs L89 →

  • L00— 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 skin infections adds L00; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: L97.91 vs L00 →

  • L08— 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 skin infections adds L08; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

    Full comparison: L97.91 vs L08 →

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

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (L97.91). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

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. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the documented side matches the code — the opposite-side siblings are in the relationships section. See the opposite-side sibling codes
  2. Sequencing: 8 Code First instructions — the underlying condition is sequenced before this code when present. See the Code First notes
  3. 3 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

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 L97.91 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 3 Excludes2 notes: L89 — Pressure ulcer (via L97.-), L98.4 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classified (via L97.-), L98.A — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of upper limb, not elsewhere classified (via L97.-).

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

Referenced by 31 Use Additional Code instructions across 3 chapters: E08.622 — Diabetes mellitus due to underlying condition with other skin ulcer (via L97.-), E09.622 — Drug or chemical induced diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer (via L97.-), E10.622 — Type 1 diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer (via L97.-), E11.622 — Type 2 diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer (via L97.-), E13.622 — Other specified diabetes mellitus with other skin ulcer (via L97.-), I70.23 — Atherosclerosis of native arteries of right leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.24 — Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.26 — Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene (via L97.-), I70.33 — Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.34 — Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.36 — Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene (via L97.-), I70.43 — Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.44 — Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.46 — Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene (via L97.-), I70.53 — Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.54 — Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.56 — Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene (via L97.-), I70.63 — Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.64 — Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration (via L97.-), I70.66 — Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene (via L97.-), +11 more.

These codes instruct coders to additionally report this code when it applies.

Related Codes

Same condition, different side

Same title, differing only in which side of the body it names: right, left, bilateral or unspecified.

L97.90 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of unspecified lower leg (unspecified)Compare L97.91 vs L97.90 →, L97.92 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of left lower leg (left)Compare L97.91 vs L97.92 →

Contextual Map

Every relationship of L97.91 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 L97.91 with these 11 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

Referenced by Excludes2 notes

Referenced by Use Additional Code instructions (31)

Nearest codes (40)

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.

Common coding questions

MedCoder editorial

Can L97.91 be billed directly?

No. L97.91 (Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

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
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. "L97.91 — Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg." ICD-10-CM FY2027. https://medcoder.ai/icd10/code/l97.91-non-pressure-chronic-ulcer-of-unspecified-part-of-right-lower-leg

Change history

  • FY2016 — October 1, 2015
    In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption
    Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of right lower leg

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 L97.91 in its code family, with their registry titles.

View all codes in the L97 family