ICD-10-CM Code For Pulmonary Embolism: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group I26 includes diagnoses for pulmonary embolism, including acute embolic occlusion of pulmonary arteries and related presentations such as saddle embolus and other specified pulmonary artery embolisms. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document acute thromboembolic events in the pulmonary circulation, capturing disease severity, hemodynamic impact, and associated organ involvement such as right ventricular strain. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM I26 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM I26: Pulmonary Embolism Overview

The ICD-10-CM I26 group represents pulmonary embolism diagnoses, conditions in which clots obstruct pulmonary arteries and impair circulation within the lungs. These diagnoses target the pulmonary vasculature and right heart consequences of embolic disease. Accurate coding matters for proper reimbursement because it captures clinical severity and guides claim adjudication.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when a clinician documents acute pulmonary embolism or related embolic events affecting the pulmonary arteries. Select the specific code that reflects the documented location, severity, and any associated complications such as right heart strain.

ICD-10-CM Codes

12 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
I26.01	Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale
I26.02	Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.03	Cement embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.04	Fat embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.09	Other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale
I26.90	Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
I26.92	Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.93	Single subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
I26.94	Multiple subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary emboli without acute cor pulmonale
I26.95	Cement embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.96	Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.99	Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
173	Ultrasound Accelerated and Other Thrombolysis with Principal Diagnosis Pulmonary Embolism
175	Pulmonary Embolism with MCC or Acute Cor Pulmonale
176	Pulmonary Embolism without MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and hypoxemia after a recent long-haul flight. CT pulmonary angiography confirms an acute embolus obstructing a main or lobar pulmonary artery; anticoagulation is initiated emergently and the encounter documents an acute pulmonary embolism. Typical codes: I26.01, I26.02
A hospitalized patient with active cancer develops acute respiratory deterioration and is found on imaging to have multiple small emboli in segmental branches without right ventricular strain; management includes therapeutic anticoagulation and coordination with oncology for ongoing care. This represents an acute pulmonary embolism occurring as a comorbidity of malignancy during the hospital stay. Typical codes: I26.90, I26.92
A patient with a prior documented pulmonary embolism under chronic anticoagulation follows up in clinic for persistent dyspnea and is evaluated for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease; imaging shows organized peripheral thrombi and chronic obstruction rather than an acute embolus, requiring long-term management decisions. Typical codes: I26.93, I26.94}

Related Codes

I27-OTHER-PULMONARY-HEART-DISEASES

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pulmonary Heart Diseases: Group Overview

I28-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-PULMONARY-VESSELS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Pulmonary Vessels: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

12 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
I26.01	Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale
I26.02	Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.03	Cement embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.04	Fat embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
I26.09	Other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale
I26.90	Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
I26.92	Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.93	Single subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
I26.94	Multiple subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary emboli without acute cor pulmonale
I26.95	Cement embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.96	Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
I26.99	Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

DRG Codes

5 rows

DRG Code	Description
173	Ultrasound Accelerated and Other Thrombolysis with Principal Diagnosis Pulmonary Embolism
175	Pulmonary Embolism with MCC or Acute Cor Pulmonale
176	Pulmonary Embolism without MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An adult presents to the emergency department with sudden onset pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and hypoxemia after a recent long-haul flight. CT pulmonary angiography confirms an acute embolus obstructing a main or lobar pulmonary artery; anticoagulation is initiated emergently and the encounter documents an acute pulmonary embolism. Typical codes: I26.01, I26.02
A hospitalized patient with active cancer develops acute respiratory deterioration and is found on imaging to have multiple small emboli in segmental branches without right ventricular strain; management includes therapeutic anticoagulation and coordination with oncology for ongoing care. This represents an acute pulmonary embolism occurring as a comorbidity of malignancy during the hospital stay. Typical codes: I26.90, I26.92
A patient with a prior documented pulmonary embolism under chronic anticoagulation follows up in clinic for persistent dyspnea and is evaluated for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease; imaging shows organized peripheral thrombi and chronic obstruction rather than an acute embolus, requiring long-term management decisions. Typical codes: I26.93, I26.94}

Related Codes

I27-OTHER-PULMONARY-HEART-DISEASES

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pulmonary Heart Diseases: Group Overview

I28-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-PULMONARY-VESSELS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Pulmonary Vessels: Group Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

ICD-10-CM Code For Pulmonary Embolism: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Pulmonary Embolism: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM I26: Pulmonary Embolism Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Pulmonary Embolism: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Pulmonary Embolism: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM I26: Pulmonary Embolism Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which diagnoses are included in the ICD-10-CM I26 group?

How does the I26 group capture disease severity for coding and reimbursement?

Which I26 codes indicate acute cor pulmonale?

Which I26 codes denote pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale?

What related DRGs are associated with I26 pulmonary embolism codes?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which diagnoses are included in the ICD-10-CM I26 group?

How does the I26 group capture disease severity for coding and reimbursement?

Which I26 codes indicate acute cor pulmonale?

Which I26 codes denote pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale?

What related DRGs are associated with I26 pulmonary embolism codes?

References