L97 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Non-billable header

ICD-10-CM code L97

Code: L97 (claims format: L97)
Description: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
Short description: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, NEC
Billable: No – use a more specific code below
Valid for: Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
Chapter: 12. Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
Block: L80-L99 Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Billable codes under L97

L97 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:

L97.1 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of thighHeader (more codes below)
L97.2 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of calfHeader (more codes below)
L97.3 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of ankleHeader (more codes below)
L97.4 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of heel and midfootHeader (more codes below)
L97.5 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of footHeader (more codes below)
L97.8 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of other part of lower legHeader (more codes below)
L97.9 – Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of lower legHeader (more codes below)

Notes for L97

Includes:

chronic ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS
non-healing ulcer of skin
non-infected sinus of skin
trophic ulcer NOS
tropical ulcer NOS
ulcer of skin of lower limb NOS

Excludes2 (not included here):

pressure ulcer (pressure area) (L89.-)
skin infections (L00-L08)
specific infections classified to A00-B99

Code first:

any associated underlying condition, such as:
any associated gangrene (I96)
atherosclerosis of the lower extremities (I70.23-, I70.24-, I70.33-, I70.34-, I70.43-, I70.44-, I70.53-, I70.54-, I70.63-, I70.64-, I70.73-, I70.74-)
chronic venous hypertension (I87.31-, I87.33-)
diabetic ulcers (E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622, E13.621, E13.622)
postphlebitic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-)
postthrombotic syndrome (I87.01-, I87.03-)
varicose ulcer (I83.0-, I83.2-)

Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code L97?

L97 is the ICD-10-CM code for non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified, in the block L80-L99 (Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue).

Is L97 a billable code?

No. L97 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.

Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.