2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I26Pulmonary embolism

ICD-10-CM Codes›I00–I99›I26-I28›I26

ICD-10-CM I26
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

I26 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for pulmonary embolism, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as I26.01, I26.02, I26.03, and I26.04.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
I26
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Pulmonary embolism
Short Description
Pulmonary embolism
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
I26-I28
Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of pulmonary circulation

Code Classification

ChapterI00–I99Diseases of the circulatory system
SectionI26-I28Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of pulmonary circulation
CategoryI26Pulmonary embolism
This CodeI26Pulmonary embolism

Specific Coding for Pulmonary embolismOverview

Non-specific codes like I26 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • I26.0 for Pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.01 for Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.02 for Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.03 for Cement embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.04 for Fat embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.09 for Other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale

  • I26.9 for Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.90 for Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.92 for Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.93 for Single subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.94 for Multiple subsegmental thrombotic pulmonary emboli without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.95 for Cement embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.96 for Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale

  • Use I26.99 for Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to I26: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 9. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) infarction
  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) thromboembolism
  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) thrombosis

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • cor pulmonale without embolism (I27.81)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

On I26 itself
  • chronic pulmonary embolism (I27.82)
  • personal history of pulmonary embolism (Z86.711)
  • pulmonary embolism complicating abortion, ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.2)
  • pulmonary embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.-)
  • pulmonary embolism due to trauma (T79.0, T79.1)
  • pulmonary embolism due to complications of surgical and medical care (T80.0, T81.7-, T82.8-)
  • septic (non-pulmonary) arterial embolism (I76)
From Chapter 9 (I00-I99) Diseases of the circulatory system applies to 1,433 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
  • systemic connective tissue disorders (M30-M36)
  • transient cerebral ischemic attacks and related syndromes (G45.-)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name I26, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes2 2

These codes carry an Excludes2 note naming I26: its condition is not part of those codes, and both may be reported when the patient has both.

  • I74 Arterial embolism and thrombosis
    pulmonary embolism and thrombosis (I26.-)
  • I82 Other venous embolism and thrombosis
    pulmonary (I26.-)

Code First 2

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and I26 is one of the conditions named.

  • I5A Non-ischemic myocardial injury (non-traumatic)
    pulmonary embolism (I26.-)
  • U09.9 Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified
    pulmonary embolism (I26.-)

Code Also 1

These codes say I26 may also be needed to fully describe the condition. The note gives no sequencing direction.

  • I27.24 Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
    associated pulmonary embolism, if applicable (I26.-, I27.82)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Pulmonary Embolism

    blocking of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by an embolus.

Patient EducationClinical

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. It usually happens when a blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. PE is a serious condition that can cause:

The full article covers:

  • What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
  • What causes a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
  • Who is more likely to develop a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
  • What are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
  • How is a pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
  • Can pulmonary embolism (PE) be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About I26Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for pulmonary embolism?

I26 is the ICD-10-CM category for pulmonary embolism, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is I26 (Pulmonary embolism) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for pulmonary embolism, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for pulmonary embolism need a more specific code from this category, such as I26.01, I26.02, and I26.03.

Can I26 be reported with I27.81?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on I26 lists "cor pulmonale without embolism (I27.81)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).