ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesL25.1

L25.1

Billable

Unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin

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

Code Description

ICD-10 L25.1 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with skin.

Key Diagnostic Point:

L25.1 refers to unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs in contact with the skin. This condition manifests as an inflammatory response of the skin resulting from direct contact with a drug or chemical agent. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms such as erythema, pruritus, vesiculation, and in severe cases, ulceration. The anatomy involved primarily includes the epidermis and dermis, where the inflammatory process occurs. Disease progression can vary; it may resolve spontaneously upon removal of the offending agent or can become chronic if exposure continues. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough patient history to identify potential allergens, physical examination findings, and possibly patch testing to confirm the diagnosis. It is essential to differentiate L25.1 from other dermatitis types, such as allergic contact dermatitis (L23) or irritant contact dermatitis (L24), to ensure appropriate management and treatment.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Requires careful history-taking and sometimes patch testing.
  • Treatment complexity: Management may involve avoidance of the offending agent and topical corticosteroids.
  • Documentation requirements: Detailed documentation of exposure history and clinical findings is necessary.
  • Coding specificity: While L25.1 is specific, it lacks detail on the exact drug or agent involved.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misclassification with other dermatitis codes.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete patient history or lack of detailed clinical findings.
  • Billing challenges: Potential denials if the 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

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

L25.1 has significant clinical implications as it reflects the growing concern of drug-related skin reactions in the population. Understanding and accurately coding this condition can improve patient care by ensuring appropriate treatment and follow-up. It also highlights the need for awareness among healthcare providers regarding potential drug allergies and sensitivities, which can impact healthcare utilization patterns and overall population health.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

L25.1 has significant clinical implications as it reflects the growing concern of drug-related skin reactions in the population. Understanding and accurately coding this condition can improve patient care by ensuring appropriate treatment and follow-up. It also highlights the need for awareness among healthcare providers regarding potential drug allergies and sensitivities, which can impact healthcare utilization patterns and overall population health.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

Reimbursement considerations include the need for detailed clinical notes that outline the patient's history of drug exposure and the clinical presentation of the dermatitis. Common denials may arise from insufficient documentation or failure to specify the drug involved. Coding best practices recommend using the most specific code available and ensuring that all relevant clinical information is included in the medical record to support the claim.

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 L25.1?

L25.1 covers unspecified contact dermatitis due to drugs that come into contact with the skin. This includes reactions to topical medications, systemic drugs that cause skin reactions upon contact, and other chemical agents. Specific diagnostic criteria involve the identification of the drug exposure and the resultant skin reaction.

When should L25.1 be used instead of related codes?

L25.1 should be used when the dermatitis is specifically due to drug exposure and the exact agent is unknown or unspecified. If the drug is known, codes from L23 or L24 may be more appropriate, depending on whether the reaction is allergic or irritant in nature.

What documentation supports L25.1?

Documentation for L25.1 should include a detailed patient history that identifies potential drug exposures, clinical findings from the physical examination, and any diagnostic tests performed, such as patch testing, to confirm the diagnosis.