ICD-10 Guide

Lymphedema

ICD-10 Coding for Lymphedema(I89.0, Q82.0, I97.2)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYOncology

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Lymphedema?

Essential facts and insights about Lymphedema

Key Clinical Considerations:

Swelling in limbs, typically in arms or legs
Imaging studies showing lymphatic obstruction
Palpable swelling, skin changes, and pitting edema

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history of cancer treatment, surgical history, and symptom description
Use of terms like 'lymphedema', 'secondary lymphedema', and 'primary lymphedema'
Examples include detailed descriptions of swelling, onset, and impact on daily activities

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for distinguishing between primary and secondary lymphedema.
Common errors include misclassifying the cause of lymphedema.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Congenital lymphedema and other forms of edema not related to lymphatic obstruction.
Alternative codes for edema due to heart failure or renal issues.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Oncology

Specialty Applications

Patients with a history of cancer treatment, particularly those who have undergone lymph node removal or radiation.
Oncology clinics, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient settings.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

Comprehensive clinical documentation
Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
Proper exclusion considerations
Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Ensure proper documentation for billing
Verify code specificity requirements
Check for any additional codes needed
Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

Insufficient clinical documentation
Incorrect code selection
Missing supporting diagnoses
Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documentation requirements?

Include patient history, physical exam findings, and treatment details.

What are the billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the type and cause of lymphedema for proper reimbursement.

Lymphedema

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documentation requirements?

What are the billing considerations?

Lymphedema

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documentation requirements?

What are the billing considerations?