Lipedema ICD-10 Codes
"R60.9 Edema, unspecified" is the ICD-10-CM code frequently used for lipedema in the United States. Additional codes may be used by specialists as explained below. Codes used in other countries may be different. See Coding on the Lipedema Foundation's About Lipedema page for information on ICD-11 and ICD-10 - Germany
Revised codes for lipedema and lipolymphedema were proposed to the CDC by the Lipedema ICD-10-CM Committee spearheaded by Jeffrey Restuccio CPC and including Karen Herbst PhD, MD, Nadiv Shapira MD, and Thomas Wright MD in 2020 (see References). The CDC has not acted on this proposal, as far as we know.
Obesity Specialist
In general, I use
R60.9 for lipedema
E66.9 for obesity, though I am changing to E66.5 for Localized adiposity
I also use other codes
M79.606 Pain in lower limb
M79.603 Pain in upper limb
R58 Easy bruising
Vein Specialist
We use ICD codes E65.0, E88.2, Q82.0, R60.9 for our lipedema diagnosis. We use different ones because different insurers require /recognized different codes.
We use primarily CPT 15877 -9 and 38999 although sometimes we use other CPT codes.
Surgeon
These are the diagnoses that may apply to lipedema patients
• (R60.9) Edema, unspecified
• (I89.0) Lymphedema, not elsewhere classified
• (R20.8) Other disturbances of skin sensation
• (M79.601) Pain in right arm
• (M79.604) Pain in right leg
• (M79.605) Pain in left leg
• (M79.602) Pain in left arm
• (E66.8) Other obesity
• (E88.2) Lipomatosis, not elsewhere classified
• (M54.5) Low back pain
• (G47.01) Insomnia due to medical condition
• (M40.50) Lordosis, unspecified, site unspecified
• (R58) Hemorrhage, not elsewhere classified
• (R26.2) Difficulty in walking, not elsewhere classified
• (I87.2) Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral)
• (M17.9) Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
• (E65) Localized adiposity
References:
[Herbst 2019] Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Diseases https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK552156/
Lipedema Foundation's About Lipedema page under Coding includes ICD-11 and ICD-10 - Germany: https://www.lipedema.org/about-lipedema
Liposuction for Lipedema Reimbursement website https://12uh.com/lipoforlipedemareimbursement/
Lipedema Project last row of this table: https://lipedemaproject.org/lipedema-differential-diagnosis/
Cover Lipedema: https://coverlipedema.com/2021/02/15/lipedema-billing-basics/
Presentation to the CDC on new ICD-10-CM codes for lipedema and lipolymphedema from September 2020 starts on page 55: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/topic-packet-september-8-9.2020.pdf
Vein Directory magazine article on the proposed code ICD-10-CM changes: https://www.veindirectory.org/magazine/article/industry-updates/lipedema-and-lipolymphedema-new-icd-10-cm-codes-proposed-to-enhance-diagnosis-treatment-and-research