2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J91Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere

ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J90-J94›J91

ICD-10-CM J91
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

J91 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as J91.0 and J91.8.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
J91
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere
Chapter
J90-J94
Other diseases of the pleura

Code Classification

ChapterJ00–J99Diseases of the respiratory system
SectionJ90-J94Other diseases of the pleura
CategoryJ91Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere
This CodeJ91Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere

Specific Coding for Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhereOverview

Non-specific codes like J91 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use J91.0 for Malignant pleural effusion

  • Use J91.8 for Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 2 Excludes

  • pleural effusion in heart failure I50
  • pleural effusion in systemic lupus erythematosus M32.13

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

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About J91Overview

Is J91 (Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere need a more specific code from this category, such as J91.0 and J91.8.