B45.2

Billable

Cutaneous cryptococcosis

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 6 — Opportunistic Infections

0.439

V24HCC 6 — Opportunistic Infections

0.440

ESRDHCC 6 — Opportunistic Infections

0.000

RxHCCHCC 5 — Opportunistic Infections

0.000

What This Code Means

A fungal infection of the skin caused by Cryptococcus, which can appear as lesions or sores on the skin surface.

Coding Tips

•Cutaneous cryptococcosis is often a sign of disseminated disease; review clinical notes for evidence of systemic infection
•Document the location and extent of skin involvement for complete clinical picture

Clinical Significance

Cutaneous cryptococcosis often represents a manifestation of disseminated disease rather than primary skin infection, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Skin lesions may be the first clinical presentation of systemic cryptococcosis, making recognition critical for timely diagnosis of potentially life-threatening disseminated infection.

Documentation Requirements

✓Skin biopsy with culture or histopathology confirming Cryptococcus
✓Description of skin lesions: papules, nodules, ulcers, cellulitis-like lesions, molluscum-like lesions
✓Location and extent of cutaneous involvement documented
✓Workup for disseminated disease: serum cryptococcal antigen, lumbar puncture, blood cultures
✓Immunocompromised status documented

Commonly Confused Codes

B45.7 (Disseminated cryptococcosis) - if skin lesions are part of widespread disease, use disseminated code B45.8 (Other forms of cryptococcosis) - use for non-skin, non-lung, non-CNS, non-bone sites L08.9 (Local infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified) - do not use for cryptococcal skin infection

Code Hierarchy

└B45Cryptococcosis └B45.2Cutaneous cryptococcosis

└B45.2Cutaneous cryptococcosis