2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J86Pyothorax

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J85-J86›J86

ICD-10-CM J86
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

J86 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for pyothorax, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J86.0 and J86.9.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J86
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Pyothorax
Short Description
Pyothorax
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
J85-J86
Suppurative and necrotic conditions of the lower respiratory tract

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ85-J86Suppurative and necrotic conditions of the lower respiratory tract
CategoryJ86Pyothorax
This CodeJ86Pyothorax

Specific Coding for PyothoraxOverview

Non-specific codes like J86 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J86.0 for Pyothorax with fistula

  • Use J86.9 for Pyothorax without fistula

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J86: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

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

  • abscess of lung (J85.-)
  • pyothorax due to tuberculosis (A15.6)

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.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 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)
  • smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

On J86 itself
  • code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.
From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • code, where applicable, to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z77.22)
  • exposure to tobacco smoke in the perinatal period (P96.81)
  • history of tobacco dependence (Z87.891)
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (Z57.31)
  • tobacco dependence (F17.-)
  • tobacco use (Z72.0)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Chapter 10 (J00-J99) Diseases of the respiratory system applies to 366 codes
  • When a respiratory condition is described as occurring in more than one site and is not specifically indexed, it should be classified to the lower anatomic site (e.g. tracheobronchitis to bronchitis in J40).

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

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name J86, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming J86: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • J93 Pneumothorax and air leak
    pyopneumothorax (J86.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Empyema, Pleural

    suppurative inflammation of the pleural space.

Patient EducationClinical

Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus. You can get an abscess almost anywhere in your body. When an area of your body becomes infected, your body's immune system tries to fight the infection. White blood cells go to the infected area, collect within the damaged tissue, and cause inflammation. During this process, pus forms.

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 J86Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for pyothorax?

J86 is the ICD-10-CM category for pyothorax, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is J86 (Pyothorax) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for pyothorax, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for pyothorax need a more specific code from this category, such as J86.0 and J86.9.

Can J86 be reported with a code from J85?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on J86 lists "abscess of lung (J85.-)". 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).

Does J86 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.. The additional code is reported after J86.