2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A15.6Tuberculous pleurisy
ICD-10-CM Codes›A00–B99›A15-A19›A15
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- CC — Complication or Comorbidity
- Not Chronic
A15.6 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for tuberculous pleurisy. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 177 through 179, 974 through 976. As a secondary diagnosis, it counts as a complication or comorbidity (CC) and moves an inpatient stay to a higher severity level within its MS-DRG family. It does not count, however, when the principal diagnosis is one of 127 closely related codes. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Pleurisy, pleural effusion and pulmonary collapse; and Tuberculosis.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Bacterial pleurisy
- Chylothorax
- Hydrothorax
- Pleural effusion caused by bacteria
- Tuberculosis of pleura
- Tuberculous chylothorax
- Tuberculous empyema
- Tuberculous hydrothorax
- Tuberculous pleural effusion
- Tuberculous pleurisy, confirmed bacteriologically and histologically
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Tuberculosis of pleura Tuberculous empyema
Type 1 Excludes
- primary respiratory tuberculosis A15.7
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
Pleurisy (acute) (adhesive) (chronic) (costal) (diaphragmatic) (double) (dry) (fibrinous) (fibrous) (interlobar) (latent) (plastic) (primary) (residual) (sicca) (sterile) (subacute) (unresolved) R09.1
tuberculous NEC A15.6
Tuberculosis, tubercular, tuberculous (calcification) (calcified) (caseous) (chromogenic acid-fast bacilli) (degeneration) (fibrocaseous) (fistula) (interstitial) (isolated circumscribed lesions) (necrosis) (parenchymatous) (ulcerative) A15.9
bronchopleural A15.6
empyema A15.6
hemothorax A15.6
hydropneumothorax A15.6
hydrothorax A15.6
pyopneumothorax A15.6
pyothorax A15.6
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Hydrothorax
a collection of watery fluid in the pleural cavity. (dorland, 27th ed)Chylothorax
the presence of chyle in the thoracic cavity. (dorland, 27th ed)Tuberculous Empyema
an empyema resulting from infection by mycobacterium tuberculosis.Hydrothorax
the accumulation of serous fluid within the pleural cavity.Acquired Chylothorax
chylothorax that results from malignancies (usually lymphoma), trauma to the thoracic duct, tuberculosis, or sarcoidosis.Chylothorax
an accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity.Chylothorax, CTCAE|Chylothorax|Chylothorax|Chylothorax
a disorder characterized by milky pleural effusion (abnormal collection of fluid) resulting from accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity.Chylothorax|Chylous Pleural Effusion
a milky pleural effusion resulting from accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity. causes include malignancies (usually lymphoma), trauma to the thoracic duct, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and congenital causes.Congenital Chylothorax
chylothorax that is present at birth.Grade 1 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 1 Chylothorax|Grade 1 Chylothorax
asymptomatic; clinical or diagnostic observations only; intervention not indicatedGrade 2 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 2 Chylothorax|Grade 2 Chylothorax
symptomatic; medical intervention indicated (e.g., fat-restricted diet); thoracentesis or tube drainage indicatedGrade 3 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 3 Chylothorax|Grade 3 Chylothorax
severe symptoms; elective operative intervention indicatedGrade 4 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 4 Chylothorax|Grade 4 Chylothorax
life-threatening respiratory or hemodynamic compromise; intubation or urgent intervention indicatedGrade 5 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 5 Chylothorax|Grade 5 Chylothorax
deathTraumatic Chylothorax
accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity as a result of thoracic trauma.
Patient EducationClinical
Pleural Disorders
Your pleura is a large, thin sheet of tissue that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity. Between the layers of the pleura is a very thin space. Normally it's filled with a small amount of fluid.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert A15.6 to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About A15.6Overview
What is the ICD-10 code for tuberculous pleurisy?
The ICD-10-CM code for tuberculous pleurisy is A15.6 (sometimes written as A156). It is billable on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Is A15.6 (Respiratory tuberculosis) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report tuberculous pleurisy on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does A15.6 group to?
When tuberculous pleurisy is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 177, 178, 179, 974, 975, 976, with relative weights from 0.7550 to 2.8860 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is A15.6 a CC or MCC?
CMS lists A15.6 as a CC (complication or comorbidity) for FY 2026. Reported as a secondary diagnosis, it moves the inpatient stay to a higher-weighted DRG within its severity family. It does not count when the principal diagnosis is one of the 127 closely related codes in its exclusion list.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of A15.6?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, tuberculous pleurisy converts to ICD-9-CM 012.00 (TB pleurisy-unspec). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
