Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
Risk factors include: Immobility. This might be due to poor health, spinal cord injury and other causes. Incontinence. Skin becomes more vulnerable with extended exposure to urine and stool. Lack of sensory perception. Spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions can result in a loss of sensation.
The skin may not be broken at first, but if the pressure ulcer gets worse, it can form:
L97. 529 - Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of left foot with unspecified severity. ICD-10-CM.
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites with unspecified severity. L98. 499 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM L98.
ICD-10-CM Code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of unspecified foot with unspecified severity L97. 509.
The term “non-pressure ulcer” was coined to designate a primary mechanism other than shear or pressure. If there is poor circulation, such as that caused by venous or arterial insufficiency or excessive moisture or trauma, a patient may develop a non-pressure ulcer.
Full thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia. The ulcer presents clinically as a deep crater with or without undermining of adjacent tissue.
Stage 2: An abrasion, blister and partial thickness skin loss involving the dermis and epidermis.
ICD-10-CM Code for Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of right foot limited to breakdown of skin L97. 511.
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of unspecified foot with unspecified severity. L97. 509 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM L97.
Routine foot care, removal and/or trimming of corns, calluses and/or nails, and preventive maintenance in specific medical conditions (procedure code S0390), is considered a non-covered service.
There are several other types of ulcers that are non-pressure-related, including venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, and neurotrophic (diabetic) ulcers.
Possible stages are 1-4 and unstageable. Unstageable: Based on clinical documentation the stage cannot be determined clinically (e.g., the wound is covered with eschar) or for ulcers documented as deep tissue injury without evidence of trauma.
Diabetic ulcers may look similar to pressure ulcers; however, it is important to note that they are not the same thing. As the name may imply, diabetic ulcers arise on individuals who have diabetes, and the foot is one of the most common areas affected by these skin sores.
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified L97- 1 chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS 2 non-healing ulcer of skin 3 non-infected sinus of skin 4 trophic ulcer NOS 5 tropical ulcer NOS 6 ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
A type 2 excludes note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition it is excluded from but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When a type 2 excludes note appears under a code it is acceptable to use both the code ( L97) and the excluded code together.
ICD-10 Code Assignment for Pressure/Non Pressure Ulcers 1 Stage 1: Skin changes limited to persistent focal edema 2 Stage 2: An abrasion, blister, and partial thickness skin loss involving the dermis and epidermis 3 Stage 3: Full thickness skin loss involving damage and necrosis of subcutaneous tissue 4 Stage 4: Necrosis of soft tissues through the underlying muscle, tendon, or bone 5 Unstageable: Based on clinical documentation the stage cannot be determined clinically (e.g., the wound is covered with eschar) or for ulcers documented as deep tissue injury without evidence of trauma.
The pressure ulcers on the elbows are documented as partial thickness into the dermis, which supports stage 2 (stated to be healing or abrasion, blister, partial thickness skin loss involving epidermis and/or dermis)—which again matches the physician documentation.
Category L97 and L98 are for Non-pressure ulcers, and have an instructional note to code first any associated underlying condition, such as: Associated gangrene. Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. Chronic venous hypertension.
Ulceration caused by prolonged pressure in patients permitted to lie too still for a long period of time; bony prominences of the body are the most frequently affected sites; ulcer is caused by ischemia of the underlying structures of the skin, fat, and muscles as a result of the sustained and constant pressure. Codes.
Pressure sores are areas of damaged skin caused by staying in one position for too long. They commonly form where your bones are close to your skin, such as your ankles, back, elbows, heels and hips. You are at risk if you are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or are unable to change your position.