L91.8 Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin

ICD-10-CM Code L91.8: Other Hypertrophic Disorders of the Skin

ICD-10-CM code L91.8 represents other hypertrophic disorders of the skin, including conditions involving abnormal skin thickening or overgrowth. Sources indicate this code is used for specific entities like hypertrophic scars and skin tags. It is utilized in medical billing alongside procedural codes, where documentation of medical necessity is crucial because insurers may consider removal a cosmetic procedure. 1 2 4 5

Plain-language overview

Code L91.8 falls under the category of hypertrophic skin disorders, which includes abnormal thickening or overgrowth of skin and subcutaneous tissue. This classification provides a way to document specific skin conditions that involve such growths. 4

What this code represents

The L91.8 diagnosis code represents other hypertrophic disorders of the skin within Chapter 12, covering diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is positioned in the L80-L99 block for other disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. 1

The L91.8 code is used for specific skin conditions including hypertrophic scars and acrochordons, which are also identified as skin tags. This code provides a specific designation for these growths when they are not classified elsewhere. 2 5

Coding details

The L91.8 code is distinguished from L91.9, which designates hypertrophic disorder of the skin, unspecified. The L91.9 code is considered when medical records lack detail, whereas L91.8 is the more exact code for skin tags. 3 4 5

Documentation considerations

When skin tags are removed, the L91.8 diagnosis code is paired with CPT codes 11200 and 11201, which depend on the number of lesions removed. Accurate coding requires documentation capturing the presence, type, location, and associated symptoms of the lesions. 5 6

The L91.8 code supports medical necessity for removal when skin tags cause irritation, bleeding, friction, inflammation, or functional problems. Documentation of these symptoms is necessary to validate the medical need for the procedure. 6

Coverage and utilization context

Several insurers regard skin tag removal as a cosmetic procedure, and appropriate ICD-10 and CPT codes are crucial for validating medical need. The provided sources do not establish that the L91.8 diagnosis code alone guarantees coverage for these procedures. 5

What the sources add

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services identifies L91.8 for hypertrophic scars, while other sources identify it as the primary diagnosis code for skin tags. This highlights the code's application across different clinical skin growth scenarios. 2 6

One source specifies that perianal or hemorrhoidal-origin skin tags never default to L91.8. This indicates that documentation must distinguish the origin of skin tags to ensure accurate code assignment. 6

Sources

1. ICD-10 | Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin (L91.8) — cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu; accessed 2026-07-25.
2. Article - Billing and Coding: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions (A57113) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
3. Article - Billing and Coding: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions (A57482) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
4. Skin Tags ICD-10-CM Codes — carepatron.com; accessed 2026-07-25.
5. What Is Skin Tag ICD 10 Code in Medical Billing? — prospecthealthcaresolutions.com; accessed 2026-07-25.
6. Skin Tag ICD-10 Code: Billing & Documentation Guide 2026 — annexmed.com; accessed 2026-07-25.