ICD-10 L03
Non-Billable HeaderCellulitis and acute lymphangitis
About ICD-10-CM L03
ICD-10-CM code L03 represents Cellulitis and acute lymphangitis. This is a non-billable header code in the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue chapter (block L03). The 2026 edition of ICD-10-CM L03 became effective on October 1, 2025. Non-billable codes cannot be used as a primary or secondary diagnosis on a claim, use a more specific child code instead.
Type 2 Excludes
Not included here, the excluded code is not part of L03, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. Both codes may be coded together when applicable.
- 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] (L98.3)
- febrile neutrophilic dermatosis [Sweet] (L98.2)
- lymphangitis (chronic) (subacute) (I89.1)
Medicare LCD Coverage for L03
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from CMS MACs that list L03 as a covered diagnosis.
This doesn't mean the code isn't covered, it means no MAC has issued a Local Coverage Determination naming this specific code. Coverage may still apply under National Coverage Determinations or general medical-necessity rules.
Commercial Payer Coverage
Coverage policies from major commercial payers referencing L03.
Our payer policy database covers Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, BCBS, Humana, and Medicare Advantage plans, but L03 doesn't currently appear in any indexed policy. The code may still be covered under standard plan benefits.
CPT Codes Commonly Billed with L03
Procedures frequently paired with this diagnosis based on PayerReady's Dx↔Px linkage data.
We don't have CPT pairings indexed for this specific code yet. Use the CPT search above to find common procedures, or check your payer's published medical policy for code-specific guidance.
Codes Adjacent To L03
Other codes in section L00-L08 (Infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue).
ICD-10 L03, Billing FAQ
Is ICD-10 code L03 billable? +
No, L03 is a non-billable header code. Use a more specific child code from block L03 when submitting claims.
What codes are Type 2 Excludes for L03? +
Type 2 Excludes (may be coded together when both conditions exist): cellulitis of anal and rectal region (K61.-); cellulitis of external auditory canal (H60.1); cellulitis of eyelid (H00.0)
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on June 1, 2026.
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