2025 ICD-10-CM code L50.8
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Skin Disease - Urticaria Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99) Feed
Other urticaria, encompassing chronic or recurrent urticaria not otherwise specified.
No specific modifiers are typically used with L50.8; however, always refer to the most recent coding guidelines.
Medical necessity for treatment of chronic urticaria is established based on the severity of symptoms (e.g., frequency, duration, intensity of itching), impact on quality of life, and the response to prior therapies. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's individual clinical presentation and response to therapy, and appropriate documentation must support this selection.
The clinical responsibility for this code rests with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional specializing in skin diseases.The physician must accurately document the patient's history, physical examination findings (including location, morphology, and distribution of lesions), relevant investigations (e.g., allergy testing), and the clinical course of the disease to support the diagnosis and justify medical necessity of any associated treatments.
In simple words: This code is for hives (urticaria) that don't fit into other specific types.It's used for hives that last a long time or come and go repeatedly and the doctor isn't sure what exactly is causing them.
This ICD-10-CM code classifies various types of urticaria (hives) not specifically categorized elsewhere.It includes chronic urticaria (lasting longer than six weeks) and recurrent urticaria (episodes recurring over time) that don't fit into the more specific subtypes like allergic, idiopathic, or those related to cold, heat, or pressure.The code should be used when the specific type of urticaria is unknown or doesn't match the other defined categories.Clinicians should document the duration and pattern of the urticaria, as well as any triggers identified, to support the choice of this code.
Example 1: A 45-year-old female presents with recurrent episodes of intensely itchy wheals (hives) over the past year. The episodes last for several days, then resolve spontaneously, with no clear pattern or identifiable triggers.Physical examination reveals urticarial lesions without any other skin findings. Allergy testing is negative.L50.8 is the appropriate code., A 28-year-old male presents with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology.The patient reports persistent itching and generalized wheals for the past eight months.No specific triggers have been identified, and laboratory investigations including complete blood count, liver function tests, and autoimmune markers are all within normal ranges.L50.8 is used., A 16-year-old female is diagnosed with chronic urticaria with associated angioedema following a viral upper respiratory infection.The patient has a history of recurrent episodes of itching and swelling of the lips and eyelids, occurring intermittently for the past three months, along with diffuse hives.Investigations to date have not revealed a specific cause.L50.8 is the appropriate code in this instance.
Detailed history of present illness, including onset, duration, frequency, distribution, and characteristics of the lesions.A thorough physical examination documenting the location, size, shape, color, and distribution of the wheals.Complete allergy testing results if performed, along with details of other relevant investigations and their outcomes.Notes on the treatment plan and patient response.Any relevant comorbidities should also be noted.
** This code is for nonspecific urticaria.Accurate documentation is crucial for proper coding and reimbursement.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Dermatology, Allergy and Immunology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient/Outpatient), Urgent Care, Telehealth