Skin tags are coded L91.8, Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin, wherever they are on the body and whether or not they're irritated, inflamed or infected. The exceptions are anal or perianal tags (K64.4) and congenital or preauricular tags (Q82.8, Q17.0). Removal is billed with CPT 11200, plus 11201 for each additional 10 tags, and payers pay for it only when the record shows it was medically necessary rather than cosmetic.
Skin Tag Codes at a Glance
Code | Descriptor | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
L91.8 | Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin | Skin tags anywhere on the body, including irritated, inflamed or infected tags |
K64.4 | Residual hemorrhoidal skin tags | Anal or perianal skin tags |
Q82.8 | Other specified congenital malformations of skin | Congenital skin tags |
Q17.0 | Accessory auricle | Preauricular tags |
CPT 11200 | Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; up to and including 15 lesions | The removal |
CPT 11201 | Each additional 10 lesions, or part thereof | Add-on to 11200 |
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign skin growths that typically appear in areas where skin rubs together such as the neck, underarms, eyelids, and groin. They are generally harmless but may become irritated, inflamed, or bleed due to friction.
From a coding perspective, skin tags are classified under skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, and the correct ICD-10 code depends mainly on their location, while symptoms decide whether removal is medically necessary.
Skin Tags ICD-10 Code Overview
Primary ICD-10 Code for Skin Tags
- L91.8 – Other hypertrophic disorders of the skin
This is the code for skin tags. It is billable, meaning it can be reported on a claim as it stands.
The ICD-10-CM index sends “Tag (hypertrophied skin) (infected)” to L91.8, so this code covers:
- Skin tags (hypertrophied skin)
- Irritated, inflamed or infected skin tags
- Tags causing discomfort or bleeding
Note that the category L91 on its own is not billable; report it at the full four characters (L91.8).
Billable ICD-10 Codes for Skin Tags
1. L91.8 – Other Hypertrophic Disorders of the Skin
- Used for typical skin tags
- Applies when tags are irritated, painful, or symptomatic
- Most frequently used code
2. K64.4 – Residual Hemorrhoidal Skin Tags
- Used for anal or perianal skin tags
- Often associated with hemorrhoids
A skin tag on the face, eyelid or another part of the body is still coded L91.8: the index gives no separate code by site, apart from anal tags (K64.4) and congenital or preauricular tags (Q82.8, Q17.0).
A billable code is not the same as a paid claim: the removal is paid only when the documentation shows medical necessity (below).
Non-Billable or Incorrect Codes for Skin Tags
"Non-billable" has a narrow meaning in ICD-10-CM: a category header that needs more characters before it can go on a claim. For skin tags, those are L91, K64, Q82 and Q17 on their own. Report the full code (L91.8, K64.4, Q82.8, Q17.0).
Commonly Misused Codes
The other mistake is a valid code for a different condition:
- L91.0 – Hypertrophic scar
- L72.0 – Epidermal cyst
- L98.8 – Other specified disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (an inflamed or infected tag is still L91.8)
- D23.9 – Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified (for a lesion the provider documents as a benign neoplasm)
These are valid codes for their own conditions, but they are not appropriate for skin tags and can get the claim denied, or misstate the patient's record, if used for one.
ICD-10 Code for Removal of Skin Tags
A common search term is “icd 10 code for removal of skin tags”, but ICD-10-CM codes describe the diagnosis, and CPT codes describe the procedure (what is a CPT code explains the difference).
For skin tag removal, the CPT codes are:
- 11200 – Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; up to and including 15 lesions
- 11201 – Each additional 10 lesions, or part thereof (an add-on code, reported with 11200)
These must be paired with the correct ICD-10 diagnosis code such as L91.8 to justify medical necessity. Destruction code 17110 is for benign lesions other than skin tags, so it isn't used for them (WPS, a Medicare contractor).
Medical Necessity vs Cosmetic Removal
Medically Necessary (Billable)
Medicare contractors set out what makes a removal medically necessary in their local coverage determinations (LCDs) for removal of benign skin lesions. CGS's LCD L34200, for example, lists conditions such as:
- Bleeding
- Intense itching
- Pain
- A change in appearance, such as reddening or a pigment change
- Recent enlargement
- Physical evidence of inflammation or infection
- A lesion that obstructs an orifice or restricts eye function
The condition has to be clearly documented in the record. Check your own Medicare contractor's LCD and each commercial payer's policy, as the lists differ.
Cosmetic (Non-Billable)
- Removal for appearance only
- No symptoms or complications
Insurance companies typically do not cover cosmetic skin tag removal. The same LCD puts the onus on the provider to tell a Medicare patient in advance that a cosmetic removal won't be covered and that they'll pay for it, and advises getting the patient's signature accepting that.
Documentation Requirements for Accurate Coding
Key Documentation Elements
- Number of skin tags removed (it decides 11200 vs 11200 plus 11201)
- Location on the body
- The symptom or finding that makes removal necessary, in the payer's terms (bleeding, pain, inflammation and so on)
- Method of removal
- For a cosmetic removal, the patient's signed acknowledgment that they'll pay
Common Coding Mistakes to Avoid
1. Billing Cosmetic Removals to Insurance
L91.8 is still the right diagnosis for a cosmetic case, but billing the removal to insurance can lead to immediate claim denial if no medical necessity is documented.
2. Misclassifying Skin Conditions
Confusing cysts, scars, or other lesions with skin tags results in incorrect coding.
3. Missing Supporting Documentation
Lack of symptom documentation can make a billable code non-reimbursable.
4. Not Linking CPT and ICD-10 Codes Properly
Procedure codes must align with diagnosis codes to justify treatment.
5. Using a Destruction Code
17110 excludes skin tags in its own descriptor. Skin tag removal is 11200 and 11201, whatever the method.
How to Choose the Correct ICD-10 Code
- Identify the condition: confirm the lesion is a skin tag, not a cyst, scar or other lesion.
- Check symptoms: is the tag symptomatic, or is the removal cosmetic?
- Review location: anal or perianal tags take K64.4; congenital or preauricular tags take Q82.8 or Q17.0; everything else is L91.8.
- Ensure documentation: the number, location, symptoms and method are in the record.
- Select the most specific code: the full code (L91.8, not L91) that matches the documented condition.
Where Beeline fits
Beeline's medical coding service codes each visit from the provider's notes and checks it against the payer's rules before the claim goes out; its tool, "One claim line, taken apart", shows how a procedure and its diagnosis sit on one line. For a wider look at your coding, see what is medical coding, or book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for skin tags?
The primary ICD-10 code for skin tags is L91.8, which is a billable code used for hypertrophic skin disorders.
Is L91.8 a billable code?
Yes, L91.8 is a valid billable ICD-10 code used for reimbursement purposes.
What is the ICD-10 code for removal of skin tags?
ICD-10-CM has no code for the removal itself (ICD-10-PCS procedure codes apply only to hospital inpatient claims). For office and outpatient removals, use CPT codes like 11200 and pair them with a diagnosis code such as L91.8.
Are skin tags always covered by insurance?
No, removal is only covered if it is medically necessary. Cosmetic removal is usually not reimbursed.
What ICD-10 code is used for inflamed skin tags?
Inflamed or infected skin tags are still coded L91.8: the ICD-10-CM index lists “Tag (hypertrophied skin) (infected)” under that code.
Can D23.9 be used for skin tags?
No. D23.9 (Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified) is for a lesion documented as a benign neoplasm of the skin, at an unspecified site. Skin tags are coded L91.8 wherever they are on the body, except anal or perianal tags (K64.4) and congenital or preauricular tags (Q82.8, Q17.0).
What happens if the wrong ICD-10 code is used?
Incorrect coding can lead to claim denials, delayed payments, or compliance issues.