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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesL02.619

L02.619

Billable

Cutaneous abscess of unspecified foot

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/06/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 L02.619 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of cutaneous abscess of unspecified foot.

Key Diagnostic Point:

L02.619 refers to a cutaneous abscess located on an unspecified foot, which is a localized collection of pus within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Clinically, patients may present with swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness in the affected area, often accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever or malaise. The anatomy involved includes the skin layers, particularly the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, where the abscess forms due to infection, often stemming from bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Disease progression can lead to increased pain and potential complications if left untreated, including cellulitis or systemic infection. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough clinical examination, patient history, and, if necessary, imaging studies to assess the extent of the abscess. Aspiration or incision and drainage may be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and microbiological cultures may be obtained to identify the causative organism.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Moderate, as abscesses can be confused with other skin lesions.
  • Treatment complexity: Moderate, requiring potential surgical intervention.
  • Documentation requirements: Requires detailed clinical notes and possibly imaging.
  • Coding specificity: Specific to abscess location, which can affect treatment and billing.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misidentifying the abscess location or type.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete clinical notes regarding symptoms or treatment.
  • Billing challenges: Potential denials if documentation does not support the diagnosis.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Primary medical specialty: Dermatology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Secondary specialty: General Surgery

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The clinical significance of L02.619 lies in its potential to lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Population health impact includes the prevalence of skin infections, particularly in diabetic or immunocompromised patients, which can increase healthcare utilization. Quality measures may focus on timely intervention and appropriate antibiotic use, while epidemiological considerations highlight the need for effective infection control measures in community settings.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The clinical significance of L02.619 lies in its potential to lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Population health impact includes the prevalence of skin infections, particularly in diabetic or immunocompromised patients, which can increase healthcare utilization. Quality measures may focus on timely intervention and appropriate antibiotic use, while epidemiological considerations highlight the need for effective infection control measures in community settings.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include the complexity of the procedure performed, such as incision and drainage, and whether the abscess required additional interventions. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to specify the abscess location. Best practices include ensuring that all clinical notes are complete and that the coding accurately reflects the services rendered.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for L00-L99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for L00-L99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific conditions are covered by L02.619?

L02.619 covers cutaneous abscesses of the foot that are not specified as right or left. It may include abscesses due to bacterial infections, foreign body reactions, or other inflammatory processes.

When should L02.619 be used instead of related codes?

L02.619 should be used when the abscess location is unspecified. If the abscess is clearly on the right or left foot, the specific codes L02.611 or L02.612 should be utilized.

What documentation supports L02.619?

Documentation should include a detailed clinical examination, patient history, treatment plan, and any imaging studies performed. Notes should clearly describe the abscess characteristics and any interventions undertaken.