2025 ICD-10-CM code L08.8
Other specified local infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Medical necessity for L08.8 is established by the presence of a localized skin and subcutaneous tissue infection requiring medical intervention.The documentation should support the diagnosis and the need for treatment.
Clinicians diagnosing L08.8 should ensure appropriate documentation of the infection's location, characteristics (e.g., redness, swelling, pain), and any identified causative organisms. This ensures accurate coding and facilitates appropriate treatment and management.
- 12 Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)
- L08 Other local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue
In simple words: This describes a skin infection that isn't covered by more specific diagnoses. It means you have a localized infection in your skin and the tissue just beneath it, but it doesn't fit neatly into the usual categories.
This code represents a localized infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that is not otherwise specified in the ICD-10-CM classification system.It encompasses infections not classified under more specific codes like pyoderma (L08.0), erythrasma (L08.1), or other specific skin infections.
Example 1: A patient presents with a localized abscess on their arm, with no identified cause.Cultures are taken, but until the organism is identified, L08.8 is the most accurate code., A patient develops cellulitis after a minor skin injury, but the specific bacteria hasn't been identified yet through cultures.L08.8 would be appropriate initially., A patient has a persistent skin infection that doesn't respond to typical treatments for common skin infections. After ruling out other specific diagnoses, L08.8 may be used while further investigations are pending.
Documentation should include the location and characteristics of the infection, including size, color, presence of drainage, and associated symptoms.Efforts to identify the causative organism, such as cultures or other diagnostic tests, should also be documented. If there is a suspected underlying cause or contributing factor, that information should be included as well.
** For infections involving an open wound, an additional code from Chapter 19 (S00-T88) may be necessary to specify the injury.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Dermatology, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, General Practice
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home