What is ICD-10 code L41.0?

L41.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. An acute inflammatory skin condition characterized by small, scattered lesions that may appear suddenly and resemble chickenpox. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (l00-l99). L41.0 is a billable code, meaning it can be reported on a claim as a primary or secondary diagnosis when supported by documentation. L41.0 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Yes. L41.0 is a billable ICD-10-CM code that can be reported on professional and institutional claims as a primary or secondary diagnosis when the provider documentation supports the specific condition described. Billable codes in ICD-10-CM are coded to the highest level of specificity available for the documented diagnosis. L41.0 is current for fiscal year 2026 and remains in the active CMS ICD-10-CM code set published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

What is the V28 vs V24 difference for L41.0?

L41.0 does not map to a payment HCC under either the CMS-HCC V28 risk adjustment model or the older V24 model. V28 reached 100% phase-in for payment year 2026, replacing V24 which was used during the PY2024–PY2025 transition. Because neither model rewards L41.0 with a risk adjustment factor, it contributes zero to a Medicare Advantage beneficiary's RAF score in either version. Coders should check whether provider documentation supports a more specific child code that does map to a payment HCC.

What should coders know when reporting L41.0?

Confirm the acute presentation and sudden onset to differentiate from the chronic form (L41.1) Document the distribution and appearance of lesions to support the diagnosis

L41.0 ICD-10 Code: Pityriasis lichenoides et

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.

Code lookupL41.0Effective periodFY2026 Apr Update (Apr 1-Sep 30)

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

L41.0

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

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta

An acute inflammatory skin condition characterized by small, scattered lesions that may appear suddenly and resemble chickenpox.

Buddy Insight

CMS-HCC V28

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

CMS-HCC V24

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

ACA/HHS

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

ESRD/PACE

Not risk-adjusted for this model/period.

RAF 0

RXHCC

Mapped

HCC 316

Psoriasis

RAF 0.0

Code Trumping

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Code Book Path

Official

L41Parapsoriasis

L41.0Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta

Inclusion Terms

Official

Mucha-Habermann disease

Excludes 2

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for L41.0 in this effective period.

Related Child Codes

Official

L41.1Pityriasis lichenoides chronica

L41.3Small plaque parapsoriasis

L41.4Large plaque parapsoriasis

L41.5Retiform parapsoriasis

L41.8Other parapsoriasis

Includes

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for L41.0 in this effective period.

Excludes 1

Official

poikiloderma vasculare atrophicans (L94.5)

Code First

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code First sequencing instructions for L41.0 in this effective period.

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for L41.0 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for L41.0 in this effective period.

Buddy Documentation Tip

HCC Buddy guidance

Provider documentation of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or PLEVA

Clinical description of acute papulovesicular or necrotic lesions

Biopsy results if obtained to rule out lymphoproliferative disorder

Assessment of severity (mild recurrent vs. febrile ulceronecrotic variant)

MEAT Support

HCC Buddy guidance

Provider documentation of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or PLEVA

Clinical description of acute papulovesicular or necrotic lesions

Biopsy results if obtained to rule out lymphoproliferative disorder

Assessment of severity (mild recurrent vs. febrile ulceronecrotic variant)

Audit Caution

HCC Buddy guidance

Confusing with varicella or other viral exanthems which can appear similar

Using the chronic form code (L41.1) when the acute variant is documented

Failing to consider and exclude lymphomatoid papulosis through biopsy

Missing the diagnosis when the provider uses the eponym Mucha-Habermann disease

Common Mistakes

HCC Buddy guidance

L41.1 (Pityriasis lichenoides chronica) — chronic form with less inflammatory, scaling papules

C86.6 (Primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders) — lymphomatoid papulosis can mimic PLEVA

B01.9 (Varicella) — chickenpox can appear similar with papulovesicular/necrotic lesions

L42 (Pityriasis rosea) — different condition with herald patch and collarette scaling

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 L41.0 an HCC code?

No. L41.0 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 L41.0

For L41.0to 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 L41.0 during that encounter, not just copy-forwarded from a problem list.

What This Code Means

L41.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. An acute inflammatory skin condition characterized by small, scattered lesions that may appear suddenly and resemble chickenpox. L41.0 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).

L41.0 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 L41.0 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 L41.0 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Coding Tips

•Confirm the acute presentation and sudden onset to differentiate from the chronic form (L41.1)
•Document the distribution and appearance of lesions to support the diagnosis

Clinical Significance

Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA or Mucha-Habermann disease) is an acute inflammatory dermatosis characterized by recurrent crops of papulovesicular lesions that may become necrotic. It is clinically significant because severe forms (febrile ulceronecrotic PLEVA) can be life-threatening, and the condition can be mistaken for lymphomatoid papulosis, a lymphoproliferative disorder requiring different management.

Documentation Requirements

✓Provider documentation of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or PLEVA
✓Clinical description of acute papulovesicular or necrotic lesions
✓Biopsy results if obtained to rule out lymphoproliferative disorder
✓Assessment of severity (mild recurrent vs. febrile ulceronecrotic variant)
✓Current treatment plan (antibiotics, phototherapy, methotrexate for severe cases)
✓Monitoring plan for potential progression to chronic form or lymphomatoid papulosis

Commonly Confused Codes

•L41.1 (Pityriasis lichenoides chronica) — chronic form with less inflammatory, scaling papules
•C86.6 (Primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders) — lymphomatoid papulosis can mimic PLEVA
•B01.9 (Varicella) — chickenpox can appear similar with papulovesicular/necrotic lesions
•L42 (Pityriasis rosea) — different condition with herald patch and collarette scaling