L97.312

Billable

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right ankle 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 right ankle (not from pressure) where the fatty tissue layer underneath the skin is exposed.

Coding Tips

•Right ankle laterality must be clearly documented; do not use if side is unspecified or bilateral
•Exposed fat layer indicates moderate depth; ensure this severity is supported by clinical documentation

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 right ankle with clear laterality (right 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

L97.311 — limited to breakdown of skin; skin breakdown only — no deeper tissue involvement L97.315 — muscle involvement without necrosis; muscle exposed but viable, no necrosis L89.5- — 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 └L97.3Non-pressure chronic ulcer of ankle └L97.31Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right ankle └L97.312Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right ankle with fat layer exposed

└L97.312Non-pressure chronic ulcer of right ankle with fat layer exposed