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ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code L97.121: Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh limited to breakdown of skin

L97.121 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh limited to breakdown of skin 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 skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

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 skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh limited to breakdown of skin 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
12Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
block
L80-L99Other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
category
L97Non-pressure chronic ulcer of lower limb, not elsewhere classified
category
L97.1Non-pressure chronic ulcer of thigh
category
L97.12Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh
currentL97.12

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

Dermatologist

Coverage-related procedures and services

CPT 93923high
COMPLETE BILATERAL NONINVASIVE PHYSIOLOGIC STUDIES OF UPPER OR LOWER EXTREMITY ARTERIES, 3 OR MORE LEVELS (EG, FOR LOWER EXTREMITY: ANKLE/BRACHIAL INDICES AT DISTAL POSTERIOR TIBIAL AND ANTERIOR TIBIAL/DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERIES PLUS SEGMENTAL BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENTS WITH BIDIRECTIONAL DOPPLER WAVEFORM RECORDING AND ANALYSIS, AT 3 OR MORE LEVELS, OR ANKLE/BRACHIAL INDICES AT DISTAL POSTERIOR TIBIAL AND ANTERIOR TIBIAL/DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERIES PLUS SEGMENTAL VOLUME PLETHYSMOGRAPHY AT 3 OR MORE LEVELS, OR ANKLE/BRACHIAL INDICES AT DISTAL POSTERIOR TIBIAL AND ANTERIOR TIBIAL/DORSALIS PEDIS ARTERIES PLUS SEGMENTAL TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN TENSION MEASUREMENTS AT 3 OR MORE LEVELS), OR SINGLE LEVEL STUDY WITH PROVOCATIVE FUNCTIONAL MANEUVERS (EG, MEASUREMENTS WITH POSTURAL PROVOCATIVE TESTS, OR MEASUREMENTS WITH REACTIVE HYPEREMIA)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 97598high
DEBRIDEMENT (EG, HIGH PRESSURE WATERJET WITH/WITHOUT SUCTION, SHARP SELECTIVE DEBRIDEMENT WITH SCISSORS, SCALPEL AND FORCEPS), OPEN WOUND, (EG, FIBRIN, DEVITALIZED EPIDERMIS AND/OR DERMIS, EXUDATE, DEBRIS, BIOFILM), INCLUDING TOPICAL APPLICATION(S), WOUND ASSESSMENT, USE OF A WHIRLPOOL, WHEN PERFORMED AND INSTRUCTION(S) FOR ONGOING CARE, PER SESSION, TOTAL WOUND(S) SURFACE AREA; EACH ADDITIONAL 20 SQ CM, OR PART THEREOF (LIST SEPARATELY IN ADDITION TO CODE FOR PRIMARY PROCEDURE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 97597high
DEBRIDEMENT (EG, HIGH PRESSURE WATERJET WITH/WITHOUT SUCTION, SHARP SELECTIVE DEBRIDEMENT WITH SCISSORS, SCALPEL AND FORCEPS), OPEN WOUND, (EG, FIBRIN, DEVITALIZED EPIDERMIS AND/OR DERMIS, EXUDATE, DEBRIS, BIOFILM), INCLUDING TOPICAL APPLICATION(S), WOUND ASSESSMENT, USE OF A WHIRLPOOL, WHEN PERFORMED AND INSTRUCTION(S) FOR ONGOING CARE, PER SESSION, TOTAL WOUND(S) SURFACE AREA; FIRST 20 SQ CM OR LESS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 93970high
DUPLEX SCAN OF EXTREMITY VEINS INCLUDING RESPONSES TO COMPRESSION AND OTHER MANEUVERS; COMPLETE BILATERAL STUDY
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 93971high
DUPLEX SCAN OF EXTREMITY VEINS INCLUDING RESPONSES TO COMPRESSION AND OTHER MANEUVERS; UNILATERAL OR LIMITED STUDY
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 93925high
DUPLEX SCAN OF LOWER EXTREMITY ARTERIES OR ARTERIAL BYPASS GRAFTS; COMPLETE BILATERAL STUDY
Source: CMS coverage guidance

Coding guidelines

Common synonyms

Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh limited to breakdown of skin

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeL97.121
SystemICD10
Display nameNon-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh limited to breakdown of skin
ChapterDiseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99)
BlockOther disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Ulcer, ulcerated, ulcerating, ulceration, ulcerative

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.