How do you code a diabetic foot ulcer?

Code a diabetic foot ulcer by first coding the type of diabetes (E11.621 for Type 2) followed by the specific ulcer location code (e.g., L97.411 for right heel).

What is the ICD-10 code for a foot ulcer?

The ICD-10 code for a non-pressure chronic ulcer of the foot is L97.4-, with specific codes based on location and severity.

ICD-10 Coding for Ulcer Foot(L97.411, E10.621, E11.621)

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Learn about ICD-10 coding for foot ulcers, including diabetic foot ulcers. Find code ranges, documentation requirements, and common pitfalls.

Also known as:

Diabetic Foot UlcerChronic Foot Ulcer

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Ulcer Foot

L00-L99Primary Range

Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

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Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

Code	Description	When to Use	Key Documentation
L97.411	Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot limited to breakdown of skin	Use when documenting a non-pressure ulcer on the right heel or midfoot with skin breakdown.	Documentation of ulcer location and depth Assessment of necrosis or infection
E11.621	Type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcer	Use for patients with Type 2 diabetes presenting with a foot ulcer.	HbA1c >7% Documentation of diabetic foot ulcer

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot limited to breakdown of skin

L97.411Billable

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions

Pressure ulcer of right heel, stage 1L89.619

Use for pressure ulcers, not diabetic or non-pressure ulcers.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcerE10.621

Use for Type 1 diabetes, not Type 2.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common issues when documenting Ulcer Foot.

Omitting laterality in ulcer documentation

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate patient records., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim denials.

Mitigation

Implement checklist for ulcer documentation., Regular training sessions for clinical staff.

Using unspecified codes like L97.40

Impact

Reimbursement: Unspecified codes may lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Poor data quality affecting patient records.

Mitigation

Specify laterality and depth to use more specific codes.

Unspecified ulcer codes

Impact

High risk of audit for using unspecified codes like L97.40.

Mitigation

Use specific codes with detailed documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements, coding pitfalls and FAQs for conditions coded with L97.411.

Primary Code

L97.411

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right heel and midfoot limited to breakdown of skin

Quick Navigation

ICD-10 codes9

Coding risks3

FAQs2

ICD-10 Coding for Ulcer Foot(L97.411, E10.621, E11.621)

Documentation & Coding Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you code a diabetic foot ulcer?

What is the ICD-10 code for a foot ulcer?

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