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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesInfections of the skin and subcutaneous tissueICD-10-CM l02-cutaneous-abscess-furuncle-carbuncle
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group L02 includes cutaneous abscesses, furuncles (boils), and carbuncles that represent localized purulent infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical encounters for localized skin infections, capturing information about lesion location, complexity, and complications such as cellulitis or systemic involvement. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM L02 group supports proper claim adjudication and complete clinical documentation.

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    ICD-10-CM L02: Cutaneous Abscess, Furuncle And Carbuncle Overview

    The ICD-10-CM L02 group covers localized collections of pus in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, including cutaneous abscesses, furuncles (boils), and carbuncles. These conditions affect the integumentary system and often result from bacterial infection, commonly Staphylococcus species. Accurate coding matters for proper claim adjudication and to reflect the clinical severity and treatment setting for reimbursement.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when documenting an encounter for a diagnosed cutaneous abscess, furuncle, or carbuncle that requires evaluation, incision and drainage, or antimicrobial therapy. Select the most specific code based on lesion location and any associated complications reported in the clinical record.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    80 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    L02.01Cutaneous abscess of face
    L02.02Furuncle of face
    L02.03Carbuncle of face
    L02.11Cutaneous abscess of neck
    L02.12Furuncle of neck
    L02.13Carbuncle of neck
    L02.211Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wall
    L02.212Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock and flank]
    L02.213Cutaneous abscess of chest wall
    L02.214Cutaneous abscess of groin
    L02.215Cutaneous abscess of perineum
    L02.216Cutaneous abscess of umbilicus
    L02.217Cutaneous abscess of flank
    L02.219Cutaneous abscess of trunk, unspecified
    L02.221Furuncle of abdominal wall
    L02.222Furuncle of back [any part, except buttock and flank]
    L02.223Furuncle of chest wall
    L02.224Furuncle of groin
    L02.225Furuncle of perineum
    L02.226Furuncle of umbilicus

    Showing 1–20 of 80

    DRG Codes

    10 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    011Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with MCC
    012Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy with CC
    013Tracheostomy for Face, Mouth and Neck Diagnoses or Laryngectomy without CC/MCC
    573Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with MCC
    574Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis with CC
    575Skin Graft for Skin Ulcer or Cellulitis without CC/MCC
    602Cellulitis with MCC
    603Cellulitis without MCC
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An otherwise healthy adult presents to the urgent care clinic with a painful, fluctuant, erythematous nodule on the right forearm that developed rapidly over 48 hours with purulent drainage. The clinician performs incision and drainage and documents a localized cutaneous abscess without deeper tissue involvement; a specific code from this group is assigned to capture the cutaneous abscess of the affected site. Typical codes: L02.411, L02.412
    • An elderly patient with poorly controlled diabetes arrives to the emergency department with fever, surrounding cellulitis, and multiple interconnecting boils on the left buttock that have been recurrent over several weeks despite outpatient treatment. Because of systemic signs and chronic or recurrent furunculosis with extensive involvement and need for inpatient management, a code reflecting a carbuncle or multiple furuncles of the specific anatomical area is assigned. Typical codes: L02.231, L02.234
    • A pediatric patient is seen in clinic for persistent scalp pustules that have progressed to a draining lesion associated with a localized abscess and hair follicle involvement; culture is taken and topical plus oral antibiotics prescribed. The encounter is coded to indicate a furuncle or abscess of the scalp/hair-bearing area to document the specific site and lesion type for outpatient follow-up. Typical codes: L02.01, L02.02

    Related Codes

    L00-STAPHYLOCOCCAL-SCALDED-SKIN-SYNDROME

    ICD-10-CM Code For Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome: Group Overview

    L01-IMPETIGO

    ICD-10-CM Code For Impetigo: Group Overview

    L03-CELLULITIS-AND-ACUTE-LYMPHANGITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Cellulitis And Acute Lymphangitis: Group Overview

    L04-ACUTE-LYMPHADENITIS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Acute Lymphadenitis: Group Overview

    L05-PILONIDAL-CYST-AND-SINUS

    ICD-10-CM Code For Pilonidal Cyst And Sinus: Group Overview

    L08-OTHER-LOCAL-INFECTIONS-OF-SKIN

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Local Infections Of Skin And Subcutaneous Tissue: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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