Other diseases of the pleura
ICD-10 Codes (22)
J91J91.0J91.8J92J92.0J92.9J93J93.0J93.1J93.11J93.12J93.8J93.81J93.82J93.83J93.9J94J94.0J94.1J94.2J94.8J94.9Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
New Codes (1)
Revised Codes (2)
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for J90-J94 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
The ICD-10 code range J90-J94 pertains to diseases of the pleura, the thin tissue layers surrounding the lungs. These codes cover a variety of conditions, including pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and pleurisy. They are used to document diagnoses related to the pleura, aiding in the tracking of patient health, research, and billing.
Key Usage Points:
- •J90: Pleural effusion, not elsewhere classified, is used when fluid accumulates in the pleural space.
- •J91: Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere, is used when pleural effusion is a manifestation of another disease.
- •J92: Pleural plaque, includes codes for pleural plaque with and without presence of asbestos.
- •J93: Pneumothorax, includes codes for different types of pneumothorax, such as spontaneous or tension pneumothorax.
- •J94: Other pleural conditions, includes codes for pleural fibrosis, pneumolysis, and other specified and unspecified pleural conditions.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient presents with symptoms of pleural effusion, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, and imaging confirms the diagnosis.
- ✓When a patient with a known disease, such as tuberculosis, develops a pleural effusion as a complication.
- ✓When a patient presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, and imaging confirms a pneumothorax.
- ✓When a patient with a history of asbestos exposure is diagnosed with pleural plaques.
- ✓When a patient has a known pleural condition, such as pleural fibrosis.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has symptoms of a pleural condition, but diagnostic tests have not confirmed a diagnosis.
- ✗When a patient has a respiratory condition that does not involve the pleura, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- ✗When a patient has a history of a pleural condition, but there is no current active disease.
- ✗When a patient has a chest injury, but there is no damage to the pleura.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions in the Tabular List of the ICD-10-CM.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for pleural diseases should be thorough and include the specific type of pleural disease, the cause if known, and any related symptoms or complications. The patient's history, including any exposure to risk factors such as asbestos, should also be documented.
Clinical Information:
- •Specific type of pleural disease
- •Cause of the disease, if known
- •Symptoms related to the disease
- •Complications, if any
- •Patient's history, including exposure to risk factors
Supporting Evidence:
- •Imaging reports confirming the diagnosis
- •Laboratory test results, if applicable
- •Notes from physical examination
- •Referral letters from other healthcare providers
Good Documentation Example:
Patient presents with sudden onset of right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray confirms right-sided pneumothorax. Patient has no history of lung disease.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has chest pain.
Common Documentation Errors:
- ⚠Not specifying the type of pleural disease
- ⚠Not documenting the cause of the disease
- ⚠Not including supporting evidence such as imaging reports
- ⚠Not documenting the patient's history and exposure to risk factors
Range Statistics
Coding Complexity
The coding complexity for pleural diseases is medium due to the need to accurately identify the specific type of disease, the cause if applicable, and any related complications. Coders also need to be aware of exclusions and other coding guidelines.
Key Factors:
- ▸Determining the specific type of pleural disease
- ▸Identifying the cause of the disease, if applicable
- ▸Coding any related complications
- ▸Understanding the patient's history and exposure to risk factors
- ▸Navigating exclusions and other coding guidelines
Specialty Focus
These codes are primarily used by pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and emergency medicine physicians. They are also used by general practitioners and internists.
Primary Specialties:
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient with lung cancer develops a malignant pleural effusion.
- • A patient with a history of asbestos exposure is diagnosed with pleural plaques.
- • A patient presents to the emergency department with a spontaneous pneumothorax.
- • A patient with chronic renal failure develops a pleural effusion due to fluid overload.
- • A patient with a history of tuberculosis has residual pleural fibrosis.
Resources & References
Resources for coding pleural diseases include the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, the American Thoracic Society, and various coding manuals and guides.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Thoracic Society
- ICD-10-CM Expert for Hospitals
Clinical References:
- American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
- Chest Journal
Educational Materials:
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) training materials
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) coding resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I code for a patient with a history of pneumothorax but no current disease?
If the patient has a history of pneumothorax but no current disease, use code Z87.2, Personal history of diseases of the respiratory system, not the J93 codes.