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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesL23.3

L23.3

Billable

Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin

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

Code Description

ICD-10 L23.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with the skin is a hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a specific allergen, in this case, a drug. Clinically, patients may present with erythema, pruritus, and vesicular lesions at the site of contact, which can progress to oozing, crusting, and scaling. The anatomy involved primarily includes the epidermis and dermis, where the immune response is triggered by sensitized T-cells reacting to the drug. Disease progression can vary, with acute reactions typically resolving within weeks if the offending agent is removed, while chronic cases may lead to lichenification and persistent dermatitis. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough patient history to identify potential allergens, patch testing to confirm the specific drug causing the reaction, and ruling out other dermatological conditions such as irritant contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and prevention of future reactions.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Requires identification of specific allergens through history and testing.
  • Treatment complexity: Involves avoidance of the allergen, topical corticosteroids, and symptomatic relief.
  • Documentation requirements: Detailed patient history and clinical findings must be documented.
  • Coding specificity: Requires precise coding based on the specific drug and reaction.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misidentifying the cause of dermatitis or using a non-specific code.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete patient history or lack of patch test results.
  • Billing challenges: Denials due to insufficient documentation or incorrect code selection.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

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

Allergy and Immunology

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

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs is a significant clinical issue, affecting a substantial portion of the population, particularly those with pre-existing sensitivities. Its impact on population health is notable, as it can lead to increased healthcare utilization, including dermatology visits and potential hospitalizations in severe cases. Quality measures focus on accurate diagnosis and management to minimize patient suffering and improve quality of life, while epidemiological studies highlight the need for awareness of drug allergies in clinical practice.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Allergic contact dermatitis due to drugs is a significant clinical issue, affecting a substantial portion of the population, particularly those with pre-existing sensitivities. Its impact on population health is notable, as it can lead to increased healthcare utilization, including dermatology visits and potential hospitalizations in severe cases. Quality measures focus on accurate diagnosis and management to minimize patient suffering and improve quality of life, while epidemiological studies highlight the need for awareness of drug allergies in clinical practice.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include ensuring that the diagnosis is clearly linked to the services provided, such as consultations or patch testing. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to demonstrate medical necessity. Best practices include maintaining comprehensive records of patient interactions, treatment plans, and follow-up care to support the coding and billing process effectively.

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 L23.3?

L23.3 specifically covers allergic contact dermatitis resulting from exposure to drugs, including topical medications, systemic drugs that may cause skin reactions, and any drug-related allergens that lead to dermatitis.

When should L23.3 be used instead of related codes?

L23.3 should be used when the dermatitis is specifically due to a drug allergen, as opposed to other allergens such as plants or metals, which would fall under different L23 codes.

What documentation supports L23.3?

Documentation should include a detailed patient history of drug exposure, clinical findings consistent with allergic contact dermatitis, results from patch testing, and any previous reactions to the drug in question.