2027 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 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

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
Short Description
Pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
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

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to J91: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 10. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

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 J91 itself
  • pleural effusion in heart failure (I50.-)
  • pleural effusion in systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.13)
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.

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.

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 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About J91Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere?

J91 is the ICD-10-CM category for pleural effusion in conditions classified elsewhere, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

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.