ICD-10 Guide

Sacral Decubitus Ulcer

ICD-10 Coding for Sacral Decubitus Ulcer(L89.152, L89.154)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYWound Care

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Sacral Decubitus Ulcer?

Essential facts and insights about Sacral Decubitus Ulcer

Key Clinical Considerations:

Localized skin breakdown over the sacral area
Presence of necrotic tissue or eschar
Pain or discomfort in the affected area

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient's medical history and risk factors for ulcer development
Detailed description of ulcer stage and characteristics
Assessment of surrounding skin and any signs of infection

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for staging pressure ulcers to avoid misclassification.
Common errors include using outdated codes or incorrect staging.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Other types of ulcers (e.g., venous, arterial) not related to pressure.
Alternative codes for non-pressure related skin breakdown.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Wound Care

Specialty Applications

Patients with limited mobility, elderly populations, and those with chronic illnesses.
Clinical settings such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health care.

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

Documentation requirements?

Include ulcer stage, size, location, and treatment plan.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding based on ulcer stage and associated treatments.

Sacral Decubitus Ulcer

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

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Sacral Decubitus Ulcer

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

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?