Pressure Ulcers and Burns at a Glance (Cheat Sheet)

A two-page visual guide to coding pressure ulcers and burns in ICD-10-CM.

WHAT'S INSIDE

• Page 1: a picture of every pressure ulcer stage in the skin layers (stages 1 to 4, unstageable, and deep tissue) with its L89 6th character, how an L89 code is built, unstageable vs unspecified, who can document the stage, and the healing, healed, and worsening rules
• Page 2: a front and back rule of nines body chart, burn and corrosion depth characters, T31 and T32 extent characters, the burn rules coders miss, and 5 worked examples with FY2027 codes

FILE FORMAT

• One PDF, US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches), 2 pages. Print it or keep it open on your screen.

HOW IT WORKS

Your download link appears right after payment and is emailed to you.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Based on the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set and Official Guidelines (in effect October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027). Codes change every October, so check the current year.
• Every rule carries its guideline section so you can look it up.
• Educational reference, not legal or billing advice. Payers and facilities can add their own rules.
• AAPC exam rules don't allow notes taken from study guides, so use this as a study and desk aid only, not in an exam code book.
• Not affiliated with or endorsed by CMS, NCHS, AHA, AAPC, or AHIMA.
• Digital items generally can't be returned. If a file is missing, damaged, or different from this listing, email thedenialdesk@gmail.com and I'll help sort it out.
• Drafted with help from AI tools, then reviewed and fact-checked by a certified medical coding professional.

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