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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesSoft Tissue Infection

Soft Tissue Infection

ICD-10 Coding for Soft Tissue Infection(L02.211, L03.115, L08.9)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYEmergency Medicine
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Soft Tissue Infection?
Essential facts and insights about Soft Tissue Infection

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Erythema, swelling, warmth, and tenderness at the infection site
  • Positive cultures from wound or tissue samples
  • Elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and inflammatory markers

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Patient history including onset, duration, and severity of symptoms
  • Detailed description of the infection site and any drainage
  • Use of specific terms like cellulitis, abscess, or necrotizing fasciitis

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Follow guidelines for distinguishing between cellulitis and abscess coding.
  • Common errors include misclassifying the type of infection or omitting key details.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Chronic wounds or ulcers not due to infection
  • Alternative codes for specific infections like diabetic foot infections

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
L03.90
Cellulitis, unspecified
L02.9
Skin abscess, unspecified
A41.9
Sepsis, unspecified
Ancillary Codes
B95.61
Differential Codes
L03.115
L02.211

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Specialty Applications

  • All age groups, particularly those with compromised immune systems
  • Emergency departments, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics

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 detailed patient history, physical exam findings, and diagnostic test results.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the severity and type of infection for appropriate reimbursement.