ICD-10 Code L89.810 – Pressure ulcer of head, unstageable (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code L89.810 – Pressure ulcer of head, unstageable
What it is
This code identifies a pressure ulcer on the head whose depth cannot be staged because the wound bed is covered by slough or eschar. Use it when the documented location is the head and the stage remains unstageable.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical findings include an open wound over a pressure point on the head with tissue obscured by devitalized tissue, making full depth assessment impossible.
When to use this code
Use L89.810 when the record specifically documents a pressure ulcer of the head and states it is unstageable. This is appropriate when the provider cannot determine the stage because slough or eschar covers the wound base. Check documentation for laterality or more specific site details if available.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for non-pressure wounds, abrasions, or skin breakdown without pressure-related etiology. Do not assign it if the ulcer is staged or if the documentation identifies a different anatomic site.
Coding tip
Confirm both the pressure-ulcer diagnosis and the exact head location in the chart before assigning L89.810.