E13.621

What This Code Means

A type of diabetes (not type 1 or type 2) that causes an open sore or ulcer on the foot.

Coding Tips

• •Always specify the location and severity of the foot ulcer; additional codes (L97 series) may be required
• •Document whether the ulcer is infected and the stage/depth of the ulcer

Clinical Significance

E13.621 identifies diabetic foot ulcer in other specified diabetes mellitus, one of the most clinically significant complications of diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers result from the combination of neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and impaired immune function, and are a leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. They require intensive wound management and multidisciplinary care.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Documentation must confirm secondary diabetes, the foot ulcer location (specify which foot and anatomic site), and the relationship to diabetes.
• ✓Wound characteristics including size, depth, presence of infection, and Wagner or University of Texas wound classification should be documented.
• ✓Additional codes for laterality and ulcer severity (L97.x) are required.

Commonly Confused Codes