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L97 ICD-10-CM Code: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

L97 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC Buddy coding tools

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FY 2026 Apr update / Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) / Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L80-L99)

L97

Header CodeICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidance

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

CMS-HCC V28

N/A

Not mapped

CMS-HCC V24

N/A

Not mapped

ACA/HHS

N/A

Not mapped

ESRD/PACE

N/A

Not mapped

RXHCC

N/A

Not mapped

Code Book Path

Official
L9Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L80-L99)
L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

Inclusion Terms

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list inclusion terms for L97 in this effective period.

Excludes 2

Official
  • pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
  • skin infections (L00-L08)
  • specific infections classified to A00-B99

Related Child Codes

Official
L97.1Non-pressure chronic ulcer of thigh
L97.2Non-pressure chronic ulcer of calf
L97.3Non-pressure chronic ulcer of ankle
L97.4Non-pressure chronic ulcer of heel and midfoot
L97.5Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of foot

Includes

Official
  • chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
  • non-healing ulcer of skin
  • non-infected sinus of skin
  • trophic ulcer NOS
  • tropical ulcer NOS

Excludes 1

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for L97 in this effective period.

Code First

Official
  • any associated underlying condition, such as:
  • any associated gangrene (I96)
  • atherosclerosis of the lower extremities (I70.23-, I70.24-, I70.33-, I70.34-, I70.43-, I70.44-, I70.53-, I70.54-, I70.63-, I70.64-, I70.73-, I70.74-)
  • chronic venous hypertension (I87.31-, I87.33-)
  • diabetic ulcers (E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622, E13.621, E13.622)

Use Additional

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for L97 in this effective period.

Code Also

Official

ICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for L97 in this effective period.

Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →

Code
L97
Description
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
HCC (V28)
No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
RAF reference coefficient
Billable
No
Payment year
2026

Coder workflow notes

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What This Code Means

L97 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified. L97 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (l00-l99), within the section covering other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (l80-l99).

Header codes like L97 cannot be reported on claims directly; they organize child codes that share clinical context. Coders should select the billable child code that matches the documented presentation and then verify its current source-backed HCC mapping. Do not infer a child code or risk adjustment value from the header alone.

HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for L97 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.

Includes

  • chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
  • non-healing ulcer of skin
  • non-infected sinus of skin
  • trophic ulcer NOS
  • tropical ulcer NOS
  • ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS

Excludes 2, Not included here, may code separately

  • pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
  • skin infections (L00-L08)
  • specific infections classified to A00-B99

Code First

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

More on L97

Referenced in blog posts

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