ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group J94 includes pleural adhesions and other specified pleural conditions that are not classified in other pleural disease categories, covering a range of noninfectious and nonmalignant pleural abnormalities. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document clinical scenarios such as pleural scarring, sequelae of prior pleural disease, or other specified pleural pathologies, capturing disease extent and related complications. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM J94 group supports complete clinical documentation and appropriate reimbursement.

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ICD-10-CM J94: Other Pleural Conditions Overview

The ICD-10-CM J94 group includes miscellaneous pleural disorders that do not fit elsewhere in the pleural disease categories, such as pleural adhesions and other specified pleural conditions. These diagnoses target the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs, and related complications affecting respiratory function. Accurate coding matters for appropriate clinical documentation and supports correct reimbursement by reflecting the specific pleural condition treated.

When to Use

Use a code from this group when the clinical record documents pleural adhesions or another specified pleural condition that does not have a more specific pleural disease code. Select the code that best reflects the documented pleural abnormality and any described sequelae.

ICD-10-CM Codes

5 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J94.0	Chylous effusion
J94.1	Fibrothorax
J94.2	Hemothorax
J94.8	Other specified pleural conditions
J94.9	Pleural condition, unspecified

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
186	Pleural Effusion with MCC
187	Pleural Effusion with CC
188	Pleural Effusion without CC/MCC
193	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy with MCC
194	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy with CC
195	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient with progressive dyspnea and a history of congestive heart failure presents for evaluation after routine chest imaging shows thickening and limited expansion of the pleural space; symptoms are chronic and worsen with exertion rather than acute infection. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to describe pleural fibrosis or pleural restrictive disease causing long-term pleural dysfunction. Typical codes: J94.2
A middle-aged person with a prior thoracic surgery develops persistent pleural air leak and pleurocutaneous communication, presenting with subcutaneous emphysema and new respiratory discomfort after an outpatient procedure. The presentation is an acute postprocedural pleural complication requiring documentation of abnormal pleural fistula or communication. Typical codes: J94.1
A patient recovering from traumatic rib fractures and pulmonary contusion is found on follow-up imaging to have pleural calcification and dense pleural scarring contributing to restrictive symptoms; there is no active infection or malignancy. This chronic pleural sequela is coded to capture the structural pleural abnormality as a comorbidity affecting respiratory function. Typical codes: J94.0, J94.8

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

J91-PLEURAL-EFFUSION-CONDITIONS

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

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

5 rows

ICD-10-CM Code	Description
J94.0	Chylous effusion
J94.1	Fibrothorax
J94.2	Hemothorax
J94.8	Other specified pleural conditions
J94.9	Pleural condition, unspecified

DRG Codes

8 rows

DRG Code	Description
186	Pleural Effusion with MCC
187	Pleural Effusion with CC
188	Pleural Effusion without CC/MCC
193	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy with MCC
194	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy with CC
195	Simple Pneumonia and Pleurisy without CC/MCC
791	Prematurity with Major Problems
793	Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

Typical Clinical Scenarios

An elderly patient with progressive dyspnea and a history of congestive heart failure presents for evaluation after routine chest imaging shows thickening and limited expansion of the pleural space; symptoms are chronic and worsen with exertion rather than acute infection. A diagnosis from this group is assigned to describe pleural fibrosis or pleural restrictive disease causing long-term pleural dysfunction. Typical codes: J94.2
A middle-aged person with a prior thoracic surgery develops persistent pleural air leak and pleurocutaneous communication, presenting with subcutaneous emphysema and new respiratory discomfort after an outpatient procedure. The presentation is an acute postprocedural pleural complication requiring documentation of abnormal pleural fistula or communication. Typical codes: J94.1
A patient recovering from traumatic rib fractures and pulmonary contusion is found on follow-up imaging to have pleural calcification and dense pleural scarring contributing to restrictive symptoms; there is no active infection or malignancy. This chronic pleural sequela is coded to capture the structural pleural abnormality as a comorbidity affecting respiratory function. Typical codes: J94.0, J94.8

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

J91-PLEURAL-EFFUSION-CONDITIONS

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

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 Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J94: Other Pleural Conditions Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J94: Other Pleural Conditions 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 Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J94: Other Pleural Conditions Overview

ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview

Sign up for ICD-10-CM Code For Other Pleural Conditions: Group Overview policy alerts

ICD-10-CM J94: Other Pleural Conditions Overview

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM codes are included in the J94 group?

What clinical scenarios are typically documented with J94 codes?

How does accurate coding in the J94 group affect reimbursement?

Which DRGs are related to pleural conditions in the J94 group?

When should a coder use an unspecified J94 code?

References

When to Use

ICD-10-CM Codes

DRG Codes

Typical Clinical Scenarios

Related Codes

Which ICD-10-CM codes are included in the J94 group?

What clinical scenarios are typically documented with J94 codes?

How does accurate coding in the J94 group affect reimbursement?

Which DRGs are related to pleural conditions in the J94 group?

When should a coder use an unspecified J94 code?

References