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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesL23.6

L23.6

Billable

Allergic contact dermatitis due to food in contact with the skin

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

Code Description

ICD-10 L23.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis due to food in contact with the skin.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Allergic contact dermatitis due to food in contact with the skin is a localized inflammatory skin condition triggered by an allergic reaction to food substances that come into direct contact with the skin. Clinically, patients may present with erythema, pruritus, vesicles, and crusting in the affected area, often resembling other forms of dermatitis. The anatomy involved primarily includes the epidermis and dermis, where the immune response occurs upon exposure to the allergen. Disease progression can vary, with acute cases presenting rapidly after exposure, while chronic cases may develop with repeated contact, leading to lichenification and thickening of the skin. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough patient history to identify potential allergens, patch testing to confirm the specific food allergen, and exclusion of other dermatological conditions. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and prevention of future episodes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Requires identification of specific allergens and may involve specialized testing.
  • Treatment complexity: Management may involve avoidance of allergens, topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines.
  • Documentation requirements: Detailed patient history and clinical findings must be documented to support the diagnosis.
  • Coding specificity: Requires precise coding to differentiate from other dermatitis types.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misclassification of dermatitis types or failure to specify the allergen.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete patient history or lack of patch test results.
  • Billing challenges: Denials may occur if documentation does not clearly support the diagnosis.

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

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Allergic contact dermatitis due to food has significant clinical implications, affecting patient quality of life and healthcare utilization. It can lead to increased visits to dermatologists and allergists, impacting population health by necessitating education on allergen avoidance. Quality measures may focus on effective management strategies and patient education to reduce recurrence. Epidemiologically, the prevalence of food allergies is rising, making awareness and accurate coding of conditions like L23.6 increasingly important for public health initiatives.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Allergic contact dermatitis due to food has significant clinical implications, affecting patient quality of life and healthcare utilization. It can lead to increased visits to dermatologists and allergists, impacting population health by necessitating education on allergen avoidance. Quality measures may focus on effective management strategies and patient education to reduce recurrence. Epidemiologically, the prevalence of food allergies is rising, making awareness and accurate coding of conditions like L23.6 increasingly important for public health initiatives.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include ensuring that the diagnosis is supported by appropriate clinical evidence, such as patch test results. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to demonstrate the medical necessity of the services provided. Best practices include thorough documentation of the patient's symptoms, treatment plan, and follow-up care to substantiate the diagnosis and ensure proper reimbursement.

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 L23.6?

L23.6 specifically covers allergic contact dermatitis resulting from food allergens that come into contact with the skin, such as fruits, vegetables, or other food items that can cause an allergic reaction.

When should L23.6 be used instead of related codes?

L23.6 should be used when there is clear evidence of allergic contact dermatitis specifically due to food allergens, as opposed to other irritants or allergens, which may fall under different codes.

What documentation supports L23.6?

Documentation should include a detailed patient history indicating the exposure to food allergens, clinical findings consistent with allergic contact dermatitis, and results from any relevant patch testing.