ICD (Diagnosis) Codes Commonly Used for Lipedema

 
 

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a set of codes that allow healthcare professionals to record standardized health information across countries. Periodically, the World Health Organization releases updated codes. In 2019, the WHO recognized Lipedema as a distinct disease entity, and included a specific ICD code for the condition in it’s 11th revision (see below). The United States is currently unable to utilize this Lipedema-specific code, as it is still using the ICD codes from the 10th revision. (It is unclear when the US will adopt the 11th revision).

Below are the most frequently used ICD-10 codes at this time (reported by clinicians):

  • R60.9 - Swelling/edema

  • E88.2 - Lipomatosis, not elsewhere classified

  • E65 - Adiposity, localized

  • Other codes sometimes used include:

  • Q82.0 - Chronic hereditary edema/lymphedema

More information, including nuanced discussion of differences in use of codes across medical specialties, can be found here.

ICD-11 (Not yet implemented in the United States)

The 11th revision (ICD-11), adopted in 2019, includes for the first time a specific global ICD code for Lipedema:

ICD-11 codes came into effect on January 1, 2022. However, each country is responsible for adopting and implementing the new revision of the codes within its own health system. As of May 2022, 35 countries have begun using ICD-11 codes, not yet including the United States.

ICD-10 - Germany

In Germany, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has adopted several specific ICD-10 codes for Lipedema. These codes are not in use in the United States.

E88.21 Lipedema, stage 1

E88.22 Lipedema, stage 2

E88.23 Lipedema, stage 3

E88.24 Lipedema, other