L97.202

Billable

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified calf with fat layer exposed

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 383 — Diabetic Skin Ulcer and Severe Skin Conditions

0.517

V24HCC 161 — Chronic Ulcer of Skin, Except Pressure

0.426

ESRDHCC 161 — Chronic Ulcer of Skin, Except Pressure

0.000

RxHCCHCC 311 — Diabetic and Chronic Skin Ulcer

0.000

What This Code Means

A long-lasting open sore on the calf that is not caused by pressure, with the fatty tissue layer exposed beneath the skin.

Coding Tips

•Document that the ulcer extends through the skin into the subcutaneous fat layer but does not involve muscle or bone
•This represents a moderate depth ulcer; ensure wound assessment specifies fat layer exposure

Clinical Significance

Non-pressure chronic ulcers of the lower extremity are significant indicators of underlying vascular disease, diabetes, or other systemic conditions that impair wound healing. Exposure of the fat layer indicates the ulcer has penetrated beyond the dermis into subcutaneous tissue, representing a moderate-severity wound with increased risk of infection and delayed healing.

Documentation Requirements

✓Ulcer site documented as unspecified calf with clear laterality (unspecified side)
✓Confirmation that the ulcer is chronic (present for extended duration, not acute)
✓Etiology documented as non-pressure (e.g., venous stasis, arterial insufficiency, diabetic, or other non-pressure cause)
✓Clinical assessment of wound depth and tissue involvement
✓Documentation that subcutaneous fat layer is visible or exposed in the wound bed
✓Wound measurements (length, width, depth) consistent with full-thickness skin loss
✓Description of wound bed appearance confirming fat tissue exposure

Commonly Confused Codes

L97.201 — limited to breakdown of skin; skin breakdown only — no deeper tissue involvement L97.205 — muscle involvement without necrosis; muscle exposed but viable, no necrosis L97.102 — specified calf; verify laterality before selecting code L89.- — Pressure ulcer codes; use only when ulcer is caused by sustained pressure, not vascular or other non-pressure etiology

Code Hierarchy

└L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified └L97.2Non-pressure chronic ulcer of calf └L97.20Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified calf └L97.202Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified calf with fat layer exposed

└L97.202Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified calf with fat layer exposed