ICD-10-CM Code For Psoriasis: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group L40 includes diagnoses for psoriasis and related papulosquamous skin disorders, covering plaque, guttate, pustular, erythrodermic forms, and psoriatic arthropathy. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical presentations of psoriasis, capturing lesion distribution, disease severity, and any joint involvement or complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM L40 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM L40: Psoriasis Overview

The ICD-10-CM L40 group contains diagnosis codes for psoriasis and related papulosquamous disorders affecting the skin. These conditions target the integumentary system and include plaque, guttate, pustular, and erythrodermic variants as well as psoriatic arthritis associations. Accurate coding matters for complete clinical documentation and supports appropriate reimbursement by reflecting disease severity and complications.

When to Use

Use codes in this group when documenting a clinical diagnosis of psoriasis or a related papulosquamous skin disorder confirmed by examination or specialist assessment. Select the code that best matches the clinical variant, body surface involvement, and any documented joint or systemic manifestations.

ICD-10-CM Codes

13 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
L40.0	Psoriasis vulgaris
L40.1	Generalized pustular psoriasis
L40.2	Acrodermatitis continua
L40.3	Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris
L40.4	Guttate psoriasis
L40.50	Arthropathic psoriasis, unspecified
L40.51	Distal interphalangeal psoriatic arthropathy
L40.52	Psoriatic arthritis mutilans
L40.53	Psoriatic spondylitis
L40.54	Psoriatic juvenile arthropathy
L40.59	Other psoriatic arthropathy
L40.8	Other psoriasis
L40.9	Psoriasis, unspecified

DRG Codes

7 rows

DRG Code	Description
545	Connective Tissue Disorders with MCC
546	Connective Tissue Disorders with CC
547	Connective Tissue Disorders without CC/MCC
595	Major Skin Disorders with MCC
596	Major Skin Disorders without MCC
606	Minor Skin Disorders with MCC
607	Minor Skin Disorders without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient with a long history of scaly, well-demarcated erythematous plaques on the extensor surfaces (elbows and knees) and scalp presents for routine follow-up because topical therapy has become less effective; there is no joint pain and lesions are stable but widespread, so the clinician documents chronic plaque psoriasis to guide ongoing dermatologic management. Typical codes: L40.0.
An adult presents to the emergency department with rapidly progressive, confluent erythema and widespread desquamation over large body surface area, systemic symptoms (fever, malaise), and recent withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids; the acute, severe pustular or erythrodermic flare requires inpatient stabilization and dermatology consultation, prompting assignment of the appropriate severe variant code. Typical codes: L40.8, L40.54.
A patient with established psoriasis reports new-onset morning stiffness and symmetric inflammatory joint pain in the hands and feet; the clinician documents psoriatic arthritis as a comorbid musculoskeletal diagnosis to coordinate rheumatology care and modify systemic therapy. Typical codes: L40.5, L40.50.

Related Codes

L41-PARAPSORIASIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Parapsoriasis: Group Overview

L42-PITYRIASIS-ROSEA

ICD-10-CM Code For Pityriasis Rosea: Group Overview

L43-LICHEN-PLANUS

ICD-10-CM Code For Lichen Planus: Group Overview

L44-OTHER-PAPULOSQUAMOUS-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Papulosquamous Disorders: Group Overview

L45-PAPULOSQUAMOUS-DISORDERS-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

ICD-10-CM Code For Papulosquamous Disorders In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

13 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
L40.0	Psoriasis vulgaris
L40.1	Generalized pustular psoriasis
L40.2	Acrodermatitis continua
L40.3	Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris
L40.4	Guttate psoriasis
L40.50	Arthropathic psoriasis, unspecified
L40.51	Distal interphalangeal psoriatic arthropathy
L40.52	Psoriatic arthritis mutilans
L40.53	Psoriatic spondylitis
L40.54	Psoriatic juvenile arthropathy
L40.59	Other psoriatic arthropathy
L40.8	Other psoriasis
L40.9	Psoriasis, unspecified

DRG Codes

7 rows

DRG Code	Description
545	Connective Tissue Disorders with MCC
546	Connective Tissue Disorders with CC
547	Connective Tissue Disorders without CC/MCC
595	Major Skin Disorders with MCC
596	Major Skin Disorders without MCC
606	Minor Skin Disorders with MCC
607	Minor Skin Disorders without MCC

Typical Clinical Scenarios

A middle-aged patient with a long history of scaly, well-demarcated erythematous plaques on the extensor surfaces (elbows and knees) and scalp presents for routine follow-up because topical therapy has become less effective; there is no joint pain and lesions are stable but widespread, so the clinician documents chronic plaque psoriasis to guide ongoing dermatologic management. Typical codes: L40.0.
An adult presents to the emergency department with rapidly progressive, confluent erythema and widespread desquamation over large body surface area, systemic symptoms (fever, malaise), and recent withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids; the acute, severe pustular or erythrodermic flare requires inpatient stabilization and dermatology consultation, prompting assignment of the appropriate severe variant code. Typical codes: L40.8, L40.54.
A patient with established psoriasis reports new-onset morning stiffness and symmetric inflammatory joint pain in the hands and feet; the clinician documents psoriatic arthritis as a comorbid musculoskeletal diagnosis to coordinate rheumatology care and modify systemic therapy. Typical codes: L40.5, L40.50.

Related Codes

L41-PARAPSORIASIS

ICD-10-CM Code For Parapsoriasis: Group Overview

L42-PITYRIASIS-ROSEA

ICD-10-CM Code For Pityriasis Rosea: Group Overview

L43-LICHEN-PLANUS

ICD-10-CM Code For Lichen Planus: Group Overview

L44-OTHER-PAPULOSQUAMOUS-DISORDERS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Papulosquamous Disorders: Group Overview

L45-PAPULOSQUAMOUS-DISORDERS-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

ICD-10-CM Code For Papulosquamous Disorders In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Psoriasis: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM L40: Psoriasis Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Psoriasis: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Psoriasis: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM L40: Psoriasis Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which diagnoses are included in the ICD-10-CM L40 group?

How does coding within L40 support reimbursement and claims?

What psoriatic arthropathy codes are found in the L40 group?

Which L40 codes correspond to pustular and guttate variants?

What related DRGs may be relevant when L40 diagnoses are present?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which diagnoses are included in the ICD-10-CM L40 group?

How does coding within L40 support reimbursement and claims?

What psoriatic arthropathy codes are found in the L40 group?

Which L40 codes correspond to pustular and guttate variants?

What related DRGs may be relevant when L40 diagnoses are present?

References