2025 ICD-10-CM code L29.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue - Dermatitis and eczema Chapter 12: Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue Feed
Pruritus, unspecified; Itch NOS.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of the encounter. Consult the official coding guidelines and payer-specific instructions.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of significant pruritus interfering with the patient's quality of life. Further investigation is warranted to identify the potential underlying cause, which may dictate additional treatments or referrals.
The clinical responsibility involves a thorough dermatological examination to identify the potential cause of pruritus, followed by appropriate treatment and/or referral.
In simple words: This code is for when someone has an itch but the doctor doesn't know why.
This code signifies unspecified pruritus (itching) without further specification of the cause or location. It's used when the underlying etiology of the itching is unknown or cannot be precisely defined.The code is categorized under dermatitis and eczema, reflecting the common symptom of itching associated with these skin conditions.Note that this code excludes specific types of pruritus, such as neurotic excoriation or psychogenic pruritus.
Example 1: A patient presents with generalized itching without any visible skin lesions.The physician cannot determine the underlying cause and codes the encounter with L29.9., A patient with a history of eczema experiences a flare-up with intense itching. However, the specific type of eczema cannot be confirmed through examination, leading to the use of L29.9 for billing., An elderly patient reports persistent itching, but there are no obvious rashes or lesions. After extensive investigation, the physician cannot attribute the itching to a specific condition and uses L29.9.
A detailed history of the onset, duration, location, and character of the pruritus should be documented.The results of any relevant examinations, such as a physical examination of the skin and any allergy testing, should be included. Any treatments administered and patient response should also be carefully documented.
** This code should be used cautiously and only when the cause of pruritus remains unidentifiable after a thorough clinical evaluation.Always ensure proper documentation to support the coding choice.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Dermatology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Clinic