The ICD-10 category L00-L08 covers codes for infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. This range includes conditions such as impetigo, cellulitis, abscess, and other bacterial skin diseases. The codes are used to classify different types of skin infections, their locations, and the causative organisms. They are crucial for accurate documentation, treatment planning, and statistical tracking of diseases.

Key Usage Points:

•Always code the infection to the highest level of specificity, including the causative organism when known.
•Use combination codes when the infection is associated with another condition, such as diabetes.
•Remember to code any associated symptoms or conditions, such as fever or pain.
•For recurrent infections, use the appropriate code to indicate the recurrent nature of the condition.
•When coding for cellulitis, specify the location of the infection.

Coding Guidelines

When to Use:

✓When a patient presents with a skin infection, such as cellulitis or impetigo.
✓When a skin infection is a secondary diagnosis, but impacts the patient's treatment plan.
✓When a patient has a postoperative skin infection.
✓When a patient has a recurrent skin infection.

When NOT to Use:

✗When a patient has a skin condition that is not an infection, such as eczema or psoriasis.
✗When the skin infection is a minor part of the patient's condition and does not impact the treatment plan.
✗When the skin infection is resolved and no longer requires treatment.
✗When the causative organism is not a bacteria, such as a fungal or viral skin infection.

Code Exclusions

Always verify exclusions by cross-referencing the patient's clinical information with the ICD-10 manual.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation for skin infections should include the type of infection, location, causative organism (if known), severity, and any associated conditions or symptoms. It should also indicate whether the infection is a primary or secondary diagnosis, and whether it is recurrent.

Clinical Information:

•Type of skin infection
•Location of infection
•Causative organism
•Severity of infection
•Associated conditions or symptoms

Supporting Evidence:

•Clinical examination findings
•Laboratory test results
•Imaging results
•Treatment plan

Good Documentation Example:

Patient presents with severe cellulitis of the right lower leg, caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The infection is associated with fever and pain.

Poor Documentation Example:

Patient has a skin infection.

Common Documentation Errors:

⚠Not specifying the type of skin infection
⚠Not indicating the location of the infection
⚠Not documenting the causative organism
⚠Not coding associated conditions or symptoms

Range Statistics

Total Codes

149

Billable

Complexity:

Medium

Primary Use:Clinical Documentation

Chapter:12

Coding Complexity

Medium

Complexity Rating

Coding for skin infections can be complex due to the need to accurately identify the type of infection, the causative organism, and any associated conditions or symptoms. Recurrent infections also add to the complexity.

Key Factors:

▸Determining the specific type of skin infection
▸Identifying the causative organism
▸Coding associated conditions or symptoms
▸Coding recurrent infections

Specialty Focus

These codes are primarily used by dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, and general practitioners. They are also relevant for surgeons documenting postoperative skin infections.

Primary Specialties:

Dermatology

40%

Infectious Disease

30%

General Practice

20%

Clinical Scenarios:

• A patient presents with a painful, red, swollen area on the arm, diagnosed as cellulitis.
• A child presents with a rash diagnosed as impetigo.
• A patient with diabetes presents with a foot ulcer that has become infected.
• A patient presents with a recurrent abscess on the back.

Resources & References

Resources for coding skin infections include the ICD-10 manual, official coding guidelines, clinical reference books, and coding training materials.

Official Guidelines:

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Guidelines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICD-10 resources

Clinical References:

Dermatology: 2-Volume Set by Bolognia, Jorizzo, and Schaffer
Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine

Educational Materials:

AHIMA ICD-10 training materials
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) ICD-10 resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I code for a skin infection when the causative organism is not known?

If the causative organism is not known, use the code for the type of skin infection without specifying the organism.