Non-prs chronic ulcer of unsp up arm with necrosis of muscle

This code signifies a persistent, non-pressure-related open sore on an unspecified area of the upper arm, characterized by the presence of dead muscle tissue. This indicates a severe stage of tissue damage extending beyond the skin and subcutaneous layers.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a chronic ulcer on the upper arm that is not attributed to pressure, and specifically notes necrosis involving the muscle layer. This typically applies to ulcers resulting from conditions like peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or venous insufficiency, where tissue death has progressed to deep structures.

• Ensure documentation specifies "non-pressure" and "necrosis of muscle" to support this code.
• Distinguish from ulcers with necrosis limited to skin or subcutaneous tissue (L98.A191, L98.A192).
• Always code the underlying cause of the ulcer (e.g., diabetes, peripheral artery disease) first, followed by this code.