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L03.111
ICD-10-CM
Right Lower Leg Cellulitis

Find information on right lower leg cellulitis diagnosis, including clinical documentation, ICD-10 codes (L03.111, L03.112, L03.119), medical coding guidelines, and healthcare best practices for treatment and management. Learn about symptoms, differential diagnosis, and appropriate antibiotic therapy for lower extremity cellulitis. This resource provides essential information for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with right lower leg cellulitis.

Also known as

Cellulitis of right lower limb
Right leg cellulitis

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Bacterial skin infection of the right lower leg.
  • Clinical Signs : Redness, swelling, pain, warmth, and tenderness in the right lower leg. May have fever.
  • Common Settings : Community-acquired, following skin breaks or wounds.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC L03.111 Coding
L00-L99

Diseases of the skin and subcu

Covers various skin infections, including cellulitis.

I80-I89

Diseases of veins, lymphatic v

Includes conditions affecting leg circulation that may be relevant.

M00-M99

Diseases of the musculoskeletal

May be relevant if cellulitis affects underlying bone/joint.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the cellulitis uncomplicated?

  • Yes

    Code L03.113 Right lower leg cellulitis, uncomplicated

  • No

    Is there lymphangitis?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Right lower leg cellulitis
Right lower leg erysipelas
Right lower leg abscess

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Right lower leg cellulitis diagnosis documentation
  • Document: location, size, appearance of cellulitis
  • Record: patient symptoms (pain, swelling, redness)
  • Document: vital signs, related comorbidities
  • Note: any prior episodes, treatments, response

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified Laterality

    Coding cellulitis without specifying right lower leg laterality can lead to claim denials and inaccurate data reporting. Use L03.115 for correct coding.

  • Missing Infection Site

    Lack of documentation specifying the precise infection site within the right lower leg may cause coding errors. CDI should query for clarity.

  • Unconfirmed Diagnosis

    Coding right lower leg cellulitis without sufficient clinical evidence supporting the diagnosis may trigger audits and compliance issues. Ensure proper documentation.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document leg swelling, erythema, warmth for accurate ICD-10 L03.1 code.
  • Rule out DVT for compliant cellulitis coding, improve CDI accuracy.
  • Thorough history, exam for appropriate antibiotic selection, avoid sepsis.
  • Monitor response to treatment, adjust antibiotics based on culture results.
  • Educate patient on limb elevation, hygiene for faster healing, prevent recurrence.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify localized erythema, warmth, swelling in RLL
  • Confirm fever, chills, or lymphadenopathy
  • Assess for pain or tenderness in RLL
  • Rule out DVT with relevant investigations
  • Document wound, insect bite, or skin break

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Right Lower Leg Cellulitis: Reimbursement and Quality Metrics Impact Summary
  • Keywords: Cellulitis coding, ICD-10 L03.11, medical billing, reimbursement rates, hospital quality reporting, sepsis, readmission reduction
  • Impact 1: Accurate L03.11 coding maximizes reimbursement for cellulitis treatment.
  • Impact 2: Proper documentation impacts sepsis severity measures and hospital-acquired infection reporting.
  • Impact 3: Timely antibiotic administration and wound care influence cellulitis readmission rates and quality scores.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes. Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Document cellulitis location, severity
  • Specify right lower leg, not just leg
  • Code L03.115 for non-purulent
  • Consider M75.0 for pain coding
  • Rule out DVT with documentation

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with signs and symptoms consistent with right lower leg cellulitis.  The patient reports pain, erythema, swelling, and warmth in the affected area.  Onset of symptoms began approximately [number] days ago.  The patient denies any history of fever, chills, or systemic symptoms.  The right lower leg skin exhibits localized erythema, edema, and tenderness to palpation.  No fluctuance, crepitus, or lymphangitis noted.  Peripheral pulses are palpable and strong.  The patient's medical history includes [relevant medical history, e.g., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease].  Current medications include [list medications].  Allergies include [list allergies].  Assessment: Right lower leg cellulitis.  Differential diagnosis includes deep vein thrombosis, contact dermatitis, and insect bite reaction.  Plan: Prescribed oral antibiotics [antibiotic name and dosage].  Patient educated on signs and symptoms of worsening infection, including spreading redness, increased pain, fever, or chills, and instructed to return for follow-up evaluation in [number] days.  Wound care instructions provided, emphasizing elevation and local hygiene.  ICD-10 code L03.115, Right lower leg cellulitis, is documented for medical billing and coding purposes.  Patient advised to monitor for improvement and return if symptoms worsen or do not improve within [number] days.  Patient verbalized understanding of the treatment plan.
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