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L40.2 ICD-10-CM Code: Acrodermatitis continua

ICD-10-CM Code View

HCC Buddy Code Card

Digital ICD-10 code-book layout with official code detail, always-visible risk models, Code Trumping, and Buddy coding guidance.

FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) / Papulosquamous disorders (L40-L45)

L40.2

Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Acrodermatitis continua

A rare form of psoriasis characterized by persistent pustules on the fingertips and toes, often with nail involvement and potential for severe disability.

Buddy the Bee presenting code insight

Buddy Insight

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is a rare, chronic pustular psoriasis variant localized to the distal fingers and toes.

CMS-HCC V28

0

0

RAF 0

CMS-HCC V24

0

0

RAF 0

ACA/HHS

0

0

RAF 0

ESRD/PACE

0

0

RAF 0

RXHCC

HCC 316

RAF 0.0

Code Trumping

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Code Book Path

Official
L40Psoriasis
L40.2Acrodermatitis continua

Inclusion Terms

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for L40.2 in this effective period.

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for L40.2 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official
L40.0Psoriasis vulgaris
L40.1Generalized pustular psoriasis
L40.3Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris
L40.4Guttate psoriasis
L40.5Arthropathic psoriasis

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for L40.2 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for L40.2 in this effective period.

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for L40.2 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for L40.2 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for L40.2 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance
Provider documentation of acrodermatitis continua or Hallopeau disease
Description of pustular involvement of digits
Documentation of nail changes or destruction if present
Radiographic findings if osteolysis is suspected

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance
Provider documentation of acrodermatitis continua or Hallopeau disease
Description of pustular involvement of digits
Documentation of nail changes or destruction if present
Radiographic findings if osteolysis is suspected

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance
Coding as generalized pustular psoriasis when the involvement is limited to distal digits
Confusing with paronychia or infectious processes of the fingers
Missing the diagnosis when the provider uses the eponym Hallopeau disease
Failing to code associated nail dystrophy or bone changes when documented

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance
L40.1 (Generalized pustular psoriasis) — generalized rather than localized to digits
L40.3 (Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris) — involves palms and soles broadly, not specifically distal digits
L03.019 (Cellulitis of unspecified finger) — infectious process vs. autoimmune pustular condition
L40.0 (Psoriasis vulgaris) — plaque type without pustules; different morphology

Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.

Is L40.2 an HCC code?

No. L40.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.

HCC Category Mapping

RxHCCHCC 316, Psoriasis
0.000

RAF weights shown are the community, non-dual, aged base weights from the CMS risk adjustment model file. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member segment, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains in use during the transition and for historical data.

MEAT Criteria for L40.2

For L40.2to count as a valid HCC diagnosis in a given encounter, the provider's documentation must show MEAT: Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat. A diagnosis from a prior year does not carry forward automatically, it has to be re-documented and supported each calendar year.

  • MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
  • EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
  • AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
  • TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis

Only one of M/E/A/T is required to support the code, but the documentation must be specific enough to show that the provider actually addressed L40.2 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.

What This Code Means

L40.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for acrodermatitis continua. A rare form of psoriasis characterized by persistent pustules on the fingertips and toes, often with nail involvement and potential for severe disability. L40.2 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (l00-l99), within the section covering papulosquamous disorders (l40-l45).

L40.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.

Does not map to any CMS-HCC in V28, V24, or ESRD models. Maps only to RxHCC 316 (Psoriasis and Other Papulosquamous Disorders) for prescription drug risk adjustment. No direct Medicare Advantage RAF score impact. Coders reviewing L40.2 should check whether additional documentation would support a more specific child code in the same hierarchy that does map to a payment HCC, capturing the correct specificity is the highest-impact RAF improvement available within accurate coding.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for L40.2 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

  • Document the specific sites affected and any functional impairment or nail dystrophy
  • Note any associated pain or difficulty with activities of daily living

Clinical Significance

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is a rare, chronic pustular psoriasis variant localized to the distal fingers and toes. It is clinically significant because it can lead to nail destruction, osteolysis of the distal phalanges, and significant functional impairment. Treatment is challenging and often requires systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

Documentation Requirements

  • Provider documentation of acrodermatitis continua or Hallopeau disease
  • Description of pustular involvement of digits
  • Documentation of nail changes or destruction if present
  • Radiographic findings if osteolysis is suspected
  • Current treatment plan and response to therapy
  • Functional impact assessment

Commonly Confused Codes

  • L40.1 (Generalized pustular psoriasis) — generalized rather than localized to digits
  • L40.3 (Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris) — involves palms and soles broadly, not specifically distal digits
  • L03.019 (Cellulitis of unspecified finger) — infectious process vs. autoimmune pustular condition
  • L40.0 (Psoriasis vulgaris) — plaque type without pustules; different morphology

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

L40PsoriasisL40.2Acrodermatitis continua
L40.2Acrodermatitis continua

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