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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code K13.21: Leukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue

K13.21 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Leukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents leukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K00-K14Diseases of oral cavity and salivary glands
category
K13Other diseases of lip and oral mucosa
category
K13.2Leukoplakia and other disturbances of oral epithelium, including tongue
currentK13.2

Official coding notes

Inclusion terms
  • Leukokeratosis of oral mucosa
  • Leukoplakia of gingiva, lips, tongue
Excludes1 (do not code together)
  • hairy leukoplakia (K13.3)
  • leukokeratosis nicotina palati (K13.24)

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

GastroenterologistGeneral Physician

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 96105high
ASSESSMENT OF APHASIA (INCLUDES ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSIVE AND RECEPTIVE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE FUNCTION, LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION, SPEECH PRODUCTION ABILITY, READING, SPELLING, WRITING, EG, BY BOSTON DIAGNOSTIC APHASIA EXAMINATION) WITH INTERPRETATION AND REPORT, PER HOUR
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 92524high
BEHAVIORAL AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF VOICE AND RESONANCE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 17111high
DESTRUCTION (EG, LASER SURGERY, ELECTROSURGERY, CRYOSURGERY, CHEMOSURGERY, SURGICAL CURETTEMENT), OF BENIGN LESIONS OTHER THAN SKIN TAGS OR CUTANEOUS VASCULAR PROLIFERATIVE LESIONS; 15 OR MORE LESIONS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 17110high
DESTRUCTION (EG, LASER SURGERY, ELECTROSURGERY, CRYOSURGERY, CHEMOSURGERY, SURGICAL CURETTEMENT), OF BENIGN LESIONS OTHER THAN SKIN TAGS OR CUTANEOUS VASCULAR PROLIFERATIVE LESIONS; UP TO 14 LESIONS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 17107high
DESTRUCTION OF CUTANEOUS VASCULAR PROLIFERATIVE LESIONS (EG, LASER TECHNIQUE); 10.0 TO 50.0 SQ CM
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 17106high
DESTRUCTION OF CUTANEOUS VASCULAR PROLIFERATIVE LESIONS (EG, LASER TECHNIQUE); LESS THAN 10 SQ CM
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Leukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeK13.21
SystemICD10
Display nameLeukoplakia of oral mucosa, including tongue
ChapterDiseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
BlockDiseases of oral cavity and salivary glands

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
LeukokeratosisLeukokeratosisLeukokeratosisLeukoplakiaLeukoplakiaLeukoplakiaLeukoplakiaLeukoplakiaLeukoplakiaLeukoplakia

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.