ICD-10 Code L89.43 – Pressure ulcer of contiguous site of back, buttock and hip, stage 3 (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L89.43 – Pressure ulcer of contiguous site of back, buttock and hip, stage 3
What it is
This code identifies a pressure ulcer involving the contiguous back, buttock, and hip region at stage 3. Stage 3 means full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue; check documentation for exact anatomic site wording.
Clinical signs
Expect a full-thickness ulcer with crater-like depth and exposed fat, but not exposed muscle, tendon, or bone. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for staging and whether the wound spans the combined back, buttock, and hip area.
When to use this code
Use L89.43 when the provider documents a stage 3 pressure ulcer across the contiguous back, buttock, and hip site. Apply it when the record clearly supports stage 3 depth and the location is not limited to a single separate site. If the stage or site is unclear, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for stage 1, stage 2, unstageable, or stage 4 pressure ulcers. Also avoid it when the ulcer is documented only at one noncontiguous site or when the stage is not specified.
Coding tip
Code the pressure ulcer stage and the documented contiguous site exactly as recorded, and verify laterality or separate-site detail when present.