What are the ICD‑10‑CM diagnosis code and ICD‑10‑PCS procedure code for excising a corn (clavus) on the foot?

ICD-10 Coding for Corn (Clavus) Removal Surgery

For corn removal surgery on the foot, use ICD-10-CM diagnosis code L84 for corns and callosities, with laterality specified when applicable (right = 1, left = 2, bilateral = 3), and ICD-10-PCS procedure code 0HBD0ZZ for excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue of the right foot or 0HBE0ZZ for the left foot.

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding

Primary Diagnosis Code

• L84 is the diagnosis code for corns and callosities 1
• This code applies to both hard corns (heloma durum) and soft corns (heloma molle) between toes 2, 3, 4

Laterality Specifications

• When the diagnosis code requires laterality specification, follow these conventions 1:
  • Right side = 1
  • Left side = 2
  • Bilateral = 3
• If no bilateral code exists and the condition affects both feet, assign separate codes for right and left 1
• Use unspecified codes only when no other option is available 1

Additional Coding Considerations

• If a 7th character is required but the code is not 6 characters long, use placeholder "X" to fill empty positions 1
• The 7th character must always occupy the 7th position in the data field 1

ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding

Excision Codes for Corn Removal

• 0HBD0ZZ: Excision of right foot skin and subcutaneous tissue, open approach 5
• 0HBE0ZZ: Excision of left foot skin and subcutaneous tissue, open approach 5

Procedure Code Structure

• The procedure involves surgical excision of the hyperkeratotic lesion with its central conical core of keratin 5
• Closure may be by primary intention (with or without skin flap) or secondary intention 5
• If combined with bony surgery (e.g., for underlying deformity correction), additional procedure codes are required 5, 6

Clinical Context for Accurate Coding

Distinguishing Corns from Other Lesions

• Corns have a hard, yellow nucleus or keratin plug extending downward in a cone-shaped point, causing sharp pain described as "walking on a small stone" 2, 3, 4
• Calluses are broader areas without a central core and are typically less painful 2, 3
• Surgical excision is specifically indicated for intractable plantar keratoses (IPK) that fail conservative management 5, 7

Common Pitfalls in Coding

• Do not confuse corns (L84) with plantar warts, which are HPV-associated and require different diagnosis codes 3
• Ensure the procedure code reflects whether excision was performed alone or combined with other surgical procedures 5, 6
• For diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease, corns are considered pre-ulcerative lesions requiring additional risk stratification codes 1, 2