ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J91 includes pleural effusions that are attributable to other specified diseases, such as cardiac, renal, infectious, or neoplastic conditions, and captures effusions secondary to those primary disorders. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document secondary pleural fluid accumulation, the relationship to the underlying disease process, and any associated clinical complications such as infection or impaired respiratory function. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J91 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM J91: Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere Overview

The ICD-10-CM J91 code group represents pleural effusion that occurs as a manifestation of other underlying diseases rather than primary pleural disorders. These codes target fluid accumulation in the pleural space linked to systemic, cardiac, infectious, neoplastic, or other specified conditions. Accurate coding is important for reflecting the primary cause, documenting clinical complexity, and supporting appropriate reimbursement.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when pleural effusion is documented as resulting from a separate primary condition and that relationship is specified in the medical record. Select the code that corresponds to the underlying cause and any documented characteristics of the effusion, such as laterality or infectious involvement.

ICD-10-CM Codes

2 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J91.0	Malignant pleural effusion
J91.8	Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
180	Respiratory Neoplasms with MCC
181	Respiratory Neoplasms with CC
182	Respiratory Neoplasms without CC/MCC
186	Pleural Effusion with MCC
187	Pleural Effusion with CC
188	Pleural Effusion without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient with known congestive heart failure presents to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and decreased oxygen saturation. Chest X-ray shows a moderate bilateral pleural effusion consistent with transudative fluid accumulation related to heart failure, and thoracentesis is performed for symptomatic relief. Typical codes: J91.0
A middle-aged patient with metastatic lung carcinoma develops increasing shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain over weeks; imaging demonstrates a unilateral malignant pleural effusion with loculations and recurrent need for therapeutic thoracenteses or indwelling catheter placement. A pleural effusion secondary to neoplastic disease is documented and coded accordingly. Typical codes: J91.8
A patient hospitalized for complicated bacterial pneumonia develops a parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema requiring chest tube drainage and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy; the pleural fluid analysis shows exudative inflammatory changes related to the infectious process. Because the effusion is described as occurring in the context of another primary disease process, the appropriate pleural effusion code from this group is assigned. Typical codes: J91.8

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

J92-PLEURAL-PLAQUE

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Plaque: Group Overview

J93-PNEUMOTHORAX-AND-AIR-LEAK

ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumothorax And Air Leak: Group Overview

J94-OTHER-PLEURAL-CONDITIONS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: 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

2 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J91.0	Malignant pleural effusion
J91.8	Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
180	Respiratory Neoplasms with MCC
181	Respiratory Neoplasms with CC
182	Respiratory Neoplasms without CC/MCC
186	Pleural Effusion with MCC
187	Pleural Effusion with CC
188	Pleural Effusion without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient with known congestive heart failure presents to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and decreased oxygen saturation. Chest X-ray shows a moderate bilateral pleural effusion consistent with transudative fluid accumulation related to heart failure, and thoracentesis is performed for symptomatic relief. Typical codes: J91.0
A middle-aged patient with metastatic lung carcinoma develops increasing shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain over weeks; imaging demonstrates a unilateral malignant pleural effusion with loculations and recurrent need for therapeutic thoracenteses or indwelling catheter placement. A pleural effusion secondary to neoplastic disease is documented and coded accordingly. Typical codes: J91.8
A patient hospitalized for complicated bacterial pneumonia develops a parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema requiring chest tube drainage and intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy; the pleural fluid analysis shows exudative inflammatory changes related to the infectious process. Because the effusion is described as occurring in the context of another primary disease process, the appropriate pleural effusion code from this group is assigned. Typical codes: J91.8

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

J92-PLEURAL-PLAQUE

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Plaque: Group Overview

J93-PNEUMOTHORAX-AND-AIR-LEAK

ICD-10-CM Code For Pneumothorax And Air Leak: Group Overview

J94-OTHER-PLEURAL-CONDITIONS

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: 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 Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM J91: Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

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ICD-10-CM J91: Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

References

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J91: Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J91: Pleural Effusion In Conditions Classified Elsewhere Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions does the ICD-10-CM J91 group represent?

What specific codes are included in the J91 code group?

How does accurate coding within J91 support reimbursement and claims?

Which DRGs are related to pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere?

When should a coder use a J91 code instead of a primary pleural disorder code?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which conditions does the ICD-10-CM J91 group represent?

What specific codes are included in the J91 code group?

How does accurate coding within J91 support reimbursement and claims?

Which DRGs are related to pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere?

When should a coder use a J91 code instead of a primary pleural disorder code?

References