Complete ICD-10 Code Guide: Wound Care, Skin, and Ulcer Diagnoses for Singapore Patients & Clinicians
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This is the master ICD-10 reference for wound care, skin, and ulcer diagnoses used in Singapore clinical practice. It covers all major wound and skin categories, with tables of codes relevant to insurance claims (MediShield Life), Medisave withdrawals, and CHAS subsidies. Use the section links below to navigate directly to the code category you need.
Why Do ICD-10 Codes Matter for Singapore Patients?
ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes are the universal diagnostic coding system used across Singapore's healthcare system — in public hospitals (SGH, NUH, CGH, TTSH, KKH), polyclinics, private hospitals, and CHAS-registered GP clinics. They matter for Singapore patients and clinicians for several key reasons:
- MediShield Life claims: All inpatient claims processed by CPF Board use ICD-10 codes submitted by hospitals to categorise diagnoses and determine claim eligibility and payout.
- Medisave withdrawals: The Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) allows Medisave use for outpatient treatment of specific chronic conditions coded in the ICD-10 system — including diabetes mellitus with complications (diabetic foot ulcers), hypertension, and others.
- CHAS subsidies: CHAS clinics submit ICD-10 codes electronically to MOH for subsidy claims. Wounds and skin conditions linked to CDMP-listed chronic diseases attract higher subsidy tiers (Blue, Orange, or Green card).
- Integrated Shield Plans (IPs): Private insurers use ICD-10 codes for surgical and procedural claim assessment, including wound debridement, skin grafting, and ulcer management.
- Clinical audit and quality improvement: MOH uses coded data for national wound care surveillance and to guide healthcare resource allocation.
Section 1: Pressure Injuries (L89.x)
Pressure injuries (formerly called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) are coded with L89.x, with the third character indicating body site and the final digit indicating stage. For deep-dive clinical content, see our detailed Pressure Injury guide.
| Stage | Description | Sacrum Code | Heel Code | Hip Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Non-blanchable erythema; intact skin | L89.151 | L89.611 (R) / L89.621 (L) | L89.211 (R) / L89.221 (L) |
| Stage 2 | Partial thickness skin loss; shallow open ulcer | L89.152 | L89.612 (R) / L89.622 (L) | L89.212 (R) / L89.222 (L) |
| Stage 3 | Full thickness skin loss; subcutaneous tissue visible | L89.153 | L89.613 (R) / L89.623 (L) | L89.213 (R) / L89.223 (L) |
| Stage 4 | Full thickness tissue loss; bone/tendon/muscle exposed | L89.154 | L89.614 (R) / L89.624 (L) | L89.214 (R) / L89.224 (L) |
| Unstageable | Depth unknown — obscured by slough or eschar | L89.150 | L89.610 (R) / L89.620 (L) | L89.210 (R) / L89.220 (L) |
| Deep Tissue Injury (DTI) | Purple/maroon intact skin or blood-filled blister | L89.156 | L89.616 (R) / L89.626 (L) | L89.216 (R) / L89.226 (L) |
Other common sites: elbow (L89.0x), ankle (L89.5x), buttock (L89.3x). Use L89.90 for unspecified site/unspecified stage when documentation is incomplete.
Section 2: Diabetic Foot & Skin Ulcers (E10–E13 + L97.x)
Diabetic ulcer coding in ICD-10 requires a minimum of two codes: the diabetes code specifying the complication, and the ulcer location code (L97.x). Singapore has one of the highest diabetes prevalences in Southeast Asia; diabetic foot ulcer is a leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputation (MOH Singapore).
| Diabetes Type | Primary Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 DM + foot ulcer | E10.621 | Type 1 DM with foot ulcer |
| Type 2 DM + foot ulcer | E11.621 | Type 2 DM with foot ulcer — most common in Singapore |
| Type 2 DM + other skin ulcer | E11.622 | Type 2 DM with other skin ulcer (not on foot) |
| Type 2 DM + skin complications (unspecified) | E11.628 | Type 2 DM with other skin complications |
Secondary ulcer site codes (L97.x) — always use with E10–E13:
| Code | Site |
|---|---|
| L97.319 / L97.329 | Right / left ankle (unspecified severity) |
| L97.419 / L97.429 | Right / left heel and midfoot (unspecified severity) |
| L97.519 / L97.529 | Right / left other part of foot (toes) |
| L97.819 / L97.829 | Right / left lower leg (non-foot) |
| L97.909 | Unspecified lower limb (unspecified side) |
Section 3: Venous Ulcers (I83.x, I87.x, L97.x)
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the most common cause of lower leg ulceration. Coding requires both the venous disease code and the ulcer location code.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| I83.001 | Varicose veins of right lower extremity with ulcer of thigh |
| I83.012 | Varicose veins of right LE with ulcer of calf (most common venous ulcer site) |
| I83.209 | Varicose veins with both ulcer and inflammation (unspecified) |
| I87.2 | Venous insufficiency (chronic)(peripheral) — without ulcer |
| I87.311 / I87.321 | Chronic venous hypertension with ulcer — right / left leg |
| I87.331 | Chronic venous hypertension with ulcer and inflammation, right leg |
Section 4: Arterial / Ischaemic Ulcers (I70.2x, I70.3x)
Arterial ulcers result from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) / atherosclerosis causing ischaemia of the lower limb. These require ABPI assessment; compression is contraindicated in pure arterial ulcers.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| I70.201 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with intermittent claudication, right leg |
| I70.231 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of right leg with ulceration of thigh |
| I70.234 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of right leg with ulceration of heel and midfoot |
| I70.241 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration of thigh |
| I70.249 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration of unspecified site |
| I70.261 | Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene, right leg |
Section 5: Surgical Wounds (T81.x, Z48.x)
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| T81.30xA | Disruption of wound — unspecified (initial encounter) |
| T81.31xA | Disruption of external operation wound — dehiscence (initial encounter) |
| T81.32xA | Disruption of internal operation wound — dehiscence |
| T81.40xA | Infection following a procedure — unspecified (initial encounter) |
| T81.41xA | Infection following procedure — superficial incisional surgical site |
| T81.42xA | Infection following procedure — deep incisional surgical site |
| Z48.00 | Encounter for change or removal of non-surgical wound dressing |
| Z48.01 | Encounter for change or removal of surgical wound dressing |
| Z48.02 | Encounter for removal of sutures |
Section 6: Burns (T20–T32)
Burns are coded by body site (T20–T29) and burn depth. A separate code from T31–T32 documents the total body surface area (TBSA) burned.
| Depth | ICD-10 Suffix | Example (Head) | Example (Hand) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st degree (erythema) | x1 | T20.01xA | T23.101A |
| 2nd degree (blistering) | x2 | T20.02xA | T23.201A |
| 3rd degree (full thickness) | x3 | T20.03xA | T23.301A |
| TBSA 10–19% | T31.10 | Add as secondary code; essential for major burns documentation | |
Encounter suffixes: A = initial encounter; D = subsequent encounter; S = sequela.
Section 7: Skin Infections (L03.x, L02.x, L08.x, M72.6)
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| L03.011 | Cellulitis of right finger |
| L03.115 | Cellulitis of right lower limb |
| L03.116 | Cellulitis of left lower limb (common in lymphoedema/venous disease) |
| L03.311 | Cellulitis of abdominal wall |
| L02.01 | Cutaneous abscess of face |
| L02.211 | Cutaneous abscess of abdominal wall |
| L08.0 | Pyoderma |
| L08.89 | Other specified local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue |
| M72.6 | Necrotising fasciitis — serious life-threatening infection |
| B37.2 | Candidiasis of skin and nail |
Section 8: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (L73.2)
| Code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L73.2 | Hidradenitis suppurativa | Chronic inflammatory skin condition; axilla, groin, perianal; coded by Hurley stage in clinical notes |
| L73.2 + L03.x | HS with secondary cellulitis | Add cellulitis code for acute infective episodes |
HS is classified by the Hurley staging system (Stage I–III) in clinical practice, but ICD-10 does not have sub-codes for Hurley stage — document severity in clinical notes and use L73.2 for all stages.
Section 9: Skin Tears (S00.x–S99.x Open Wounds)
Skin tears are traumatic wounds; ICD-10 codes the body site of the open wound. The ISTAP (International Skin Tear Advisory Panel) classification is used clinically but does not have ICD-10 sub-codes.
| Code | Site |
|---|---|
| S00.81xA | Open wound of scalp (initial encounter) |
| S51.811A | Open wound of right forearm (common skin tear site in elderly) |
| S81.801A | Open wound of right lower leg (initial encounter) |
| S91.301A | Unspecified open wound, right foot |
Section 10: Stoma-Related Codes (K94.x, L98.x)
For full clinical detail, see our Peristomal Skin Complications deep-dive guide.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| K94.09 | Colostomy complication, unspecified |
| K94.19 | Enterostomy complication, unspecified |
| K94.29 | Gastrostomy complication, unspecified |
| K94.39 | Other complications of artificial openings of digestive tract |
| L24.81 | Irritant contact dermatitis — peristomal (stoma effluent) |
| L98.499 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin — peristomal/unspecified |
Section 11: Lymphoedema (I89.0, I97.2, Q82.0)
For full clinical detail and ISL staging, see our Lymphoedema deep-dive guide.
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| I89.0 | Lymphoedema, not elsewhere classified |
| I97.2 | Postmastectomy lymphoedema syndrome |
| Q82.0 | Hereditary lymphoedema (Milroy disease, Meige disease) |
| I97.89 | Other postprocedural complications — lymphoedema after other surgery |
| I89.0 + B74.0 | Lymphoedema secondary to lymphatic filariasis |
Section 12: Other Relevant Wound & Skin Codes
| Code | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| L88 | Pyoderma gangrenosum | Neutrophilic dermatosis; painful rapidly expanding ulcers; associated with IBD, RA, haematological malignancy |
| L05.01 | Pilonidal cyst with abscess | Pilonidal disease |
| L05.91 | Pilonidal sinus without abscess | Pilonidal disease |
| K63.2 | Fistula of intestine | Entero-cutaneous fistula |
| N82.1 | Other female urinary-genital tract fistulae | Vesico-vaginal / vesico-cutaneous fistula |
| C44.x | Other malignant neoplasms of skin | Malignant/fungating wounds; add site code (e.g. C44.521 = squamous cell carcinoma of skin of right upper limb) |
| L97.909 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of lower limb | Use when ulcer type undetermined — pending investigation |
| T14.0xxA | Open wound of unspecified body region (initial encounter) | Unspecified wound — use when site not documented |
Singapore-Specific Coding: CHAS, Medisave and MediShield Life
CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme)
CHAS subsidises treatment at participating GP clinics for patients holding Blue, Orange, or Green CHAS cards. Wound care and skin conditions attracting CHAS subsidies are those linked to CDMP-listed chronic conditions, including:
- Diabetic foot complications (E11.621 — Type 2 DM with foot ulcer)
- Cellulitis in a patient with diabetes (L03.x + E11.x)
- Chronic skin conditions associated with CDMP diagnoses
From 2024, the Healthier SG Chronic Tier under CHAS extends medication subsidies of up to 87.5% for whitelisted chronic medications, including those for diabetes management (which prevents diabetic ulcers downstream).
Medisave
Medisave can be withdrawn for outpatient treatment of CDMP-listed conditions including diabetes mellitus (E10, E11, E13) and their complications. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers may apply MediSave for GP or specialist outpatient wound management. Day surgery for wound debridement (CPT equivalent procedures) at approved institutions is also Medisave-claimable.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life covers inpatient hospitalisation for wound care admissions including cellulitis (L03.x), necrotising fasciitis (M72.6), wound debridement, skin grafting for burns or chronic ulcers, and pressure injury management. Accurate ICD-10 coding by the admitting team is required for claim processing by CPF Board.
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)
All major IPs (AIA HealthShield Gold, Prudential PRUShield, NTUC Income Enhanced IncomeShield, AXA Shield) process claims using ICD-10 codes submitted by hospitals. For wound care-related admissions, having the correct primary diagnosis code (not just a procedure code) is critical for claim approval. If you receive a rejection related to coding, ask your hospital's medical records or billing department to review the submitted ICD-10 codes.
Products Available from EMIS+ for Wound Care
EMIS+ (emis.asia) is a Singapore nurse-led medical supply store stocking clinically validated wound care products for all wound types covered in this guide:
- Advanced wound dressings — hydrocolloid, foam, alginate, hydrofibre, antimicrobial silver, PHMB, iodine cadexomer
- Compression bandaging — short-stretch, long-stretch, multi-layer systems for venous and lymphoedema management
- Stoma accessories — Convatec ESENTA, Stomahesive paste, Coloplast Brava range
- Skin barrier and wound care accessories — barrier films, adhesive removers, wound cleansers
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) accessories
Browse EMIS+ Wound Care Products — delivered across Singapore. Clinician enquiries welcome at emis.asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my ICD-10 code for a wound or skin condition in Singapore?
Your ICD-10 code will appear on your specialist referral letter, hospital discharge summary, or outpatient clinic visit memo. The code is a letter followed by numbers (e.g. L89.213 for a right hip pressure injury, Stage 3). For insurance purposes, ask your doctor or hospital billing department to provide the complete ICD-10 diagnosis code. CHAS-registered clinics submit codes electronically to MOH for every consultation.
Do ICD codes affect my MediShield Life claims?
Yes. ICD-10 codes are used by CPF Board to categorise inpatient claims and determine the applicable claim tables. For wound care, procedures such as debridement, skin grafting, or NPWT are associated with specific diagnosis codes that determine claim eligibility. Missing or incorrect codes can delay reimbursement — contact your hospital's medical records department if you believe a claim has been miscoded.
Does my doctor need to include ICD-10 codes on my referral?
Public hospitals (SGH, NUH, CGH, TTSH, KKH) and polyclinics routinely include ICD-10 codes in referral letters and clinic memos. Private GP referrals may not always include codes. You can request your GP to add the ICD-10 diagnosis code for insurance, Medisave, or CHAS purposes — this is a standard clinical documentation request and requires no additional fee.
What is the ICD-10 code for a non-healing wound in Singapore?
The most appropriate code for a non-healing chronic wound without a specific established cause is L97.909 (non-pressure chronic ulcer of unspecified part of lower limb) or L98.499 (non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, unspecified). As investigations establish the aetiology — venous, arterial, diabetic, or mixed — the code should be updated to the more specific code.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10: International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. Geneva: WHO; 2019.
- Ministry of Health Singapore. Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) — Conditions List. MOH Singapore; 2024.
- CPF Board. MediShield Life Claim Assessment — ICD-10 Coding Framework. Singapore; 2024.
- Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) — Guide for Patients. Singapore; 2024.
- National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA). Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. 3rd ed. 2019.
- International Society of Lymphology. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Lymphedema: 2020 Consensus Document. Lymphology. 2020;53(1):3–19.
- Colwell JC, McNichol L, Boarini J. WOCN Ostomy Care Practice related to peristomal skin issues. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2017;44(3):257–261.
- Singapore Cancer Registry. Cancer Trends Report 2003–2022. National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO). Singapore; 2024.
- Harding K, Aldaghri F, Augustin M, et al. What's new in wound care? J Wound Care. 2022;31(10):802–814.
- MOH Singapore. Healthier SG — CHAS Chronic Tier Implementation Guide. Ministry of Health Singapore; 2024.