Coders who are worried about the expansion of the dermatitis diagnosis codes in ICD-10 this year may find some relief in at least one subcategory of codes. Unlike the contact dermatitis codes (L23.- to L25.0), which will include a great many more specific codes than their ICD-9 counterparts, the codes for allergic contact dermatitis caused by substances taken internally will remain relatively straightforward.
Note: L27.2 only refers to dermatitis due to ingested food. For dermatitis caused by food in external contact with skin, you would report L23.6 (Allergic contact dermatitis due to food in contact with the skin), L24.6 (Irritant contact dermatitis due to food in contact with skin), or L25.4 (Unspecified contact dermatitis due to food in contact with skin).
Learn more: For more information on the ICD-10 conversion, as well as specific ICD-9 to ICD-10 code bridges, visit https://www.aapc.com/codes/.