2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I26.96Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale

ICD-10-CM Codes›I00–I99›I26-I28›I26

ICD-10-CM I26.96
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

I26.96 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 175 through 176. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Acute pulmonary embolism; and Complication of other surgical or medical care, injury, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
I26.96
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
Short Description
Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
I26.9
Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

Code Classification

ChapterI00–I99Diseases of the circulatory system
SectionI26-I28Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of pulmonary circulation
CategoryI26Pulmonary embolism
This CodeI26.96Fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Code First

  • , if applicable:
  • complication of other artery following a procedure T81.718
  • traumatic fat embolism T79.1

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Embolism(multiple) (paradoxical)
      • fat (cerebral) (pulmonary) (systemic)
        • pulmonary artery
    • Embolism(multiple) (paradoxical)
      • pulmonary (acute) (artery) (vein)
        • fat

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR CIR013
Acute pulmonary embolism
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No
CCSR INJ037
Complication of other surgical or medical care, injury, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Code History & ChangesHistory

Replacement I26.96 replaces the following previously assigned code(s):

  • I26.99 - Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale
FY 2025AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2024.
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About I26.96Overview

Is I26.96 (Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does I26.96 group to?

When fat embolism of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 175, 176, with relative weights from 0.8050 to 1.3736 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.