2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J94.8Other specified pleural conditions
ICD-10-CM Codes›J00–J99›J90-J94›J94
- Billable — Valid for Submission
- Not Chronic
J94.8 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for other specified pleural conditions. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 186 through 188. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Pleurisy, pleural effusion and pulmonary collapse.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Abnormal pericardiopleural communication
- Adhesion of pleura
- Calcification of pleura
- Chylothorax
- Congenital chylothorax
- Hydropneumothorax
- Hydrothorax
- Hydrothorax as complication of peritoneal dialysis
- Intralipid pseudochylous effusion
- Leakage of peritoneal dialysate into pleural cavity
- Mass of pleura
- Mesothelial hyperplasia of the pleura
- Peritoneal dialysis leakage
- Pleural scarring
- Pneumochylothorax
- Pseudochylothorax
- Tension hydrothorax
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Inclusion Terms
- Hydropneumothorax
- Hydrothorax
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance
Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.
- Adhesions, adhesive (postinfective) - K66.0
- pleura, pleuritic - J94.8
- pleuropericardial - J94.8
- pleura - J94.8
- postinfectional - J94.8
- pleural - J94.8
- Cyst (colloid) (mucous) (simple) (retention)
- pleura - J94.8
- Disease, diseased - See Also: Syndrome;
- pleura (cavity) - J94.9
- specified NEC - J94.8
- Fluid
- chest - J94.8
- pleural cavity - J94.8
- Hydropneumothorax - J94.8
- Hydrothorax (double) (pleura) - J94.8
External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance
References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.
- Adhesions, adhesive(postinfective)
- pleura, pleuritic
- Adhesions, adhesive(postinfective)
- pleuropericardial
- Calcification
- pleura
- Calcification
- pleura
- postinfectional
- Congestion, congestive
- pleural
- Cyst(colloid) (mucous) (simple) (retention)
- pleura
- Disease, diseased
- pleura (cavity)
- specified NEC
- Fluid
- chest
- Fluid
- pleural cavity
- Hydropneumothorax
- Hydrothorax(double) (pleura)
- Water
- on
- chest
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Hydropneumothorax
a collection of fluid and gas within the pleural cavity. (dorland, 27th ed)Hydrothorax
a collection of watery fluid in the pleural cavity. (dorland, 27th ed)Chylothorax
the presence of chyle in the thoracic cavity. (dorland, 27th ed)Congenital Chylothorax
chylothorax that is present at birth.Hydrothorax
the accumulation of serous fluid within the pleural cavity.Acquired Chylothorax
chylothorax that results from malignancies (usually lymphoma), trauma to the thoracic duct, tuberculosis, or sarcoidosis.Chylothorax
an accumulation of chyle in the pleural cavity.Chylothorax, CTCAE|Chylothorax|Chylothorax|Chylothorax
a disorder characterized by milky pleural effusion (abnormal collection of fluid) resulting from accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity.Chylothorax|Chylous Pleural Effusion
a milky pleural effusion resulting from accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity. causes include malignancies (usually lymphoma), trauma to the thoracic duct, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and congenital causes.Grade 1 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 1 Chylothorax|Grade 1 Chylothorax
asymptomatic; clinical or diagnostic observations only; intervention not indicatedGrade 2 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 2 Chylothorax|Grade 2 Chylothorax
symptomatic; medical intervention indicated (e.g., fat-restricted diet); thoracentesis or tube drainage indicatedGrade 3 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 3 Chylothorax|Grade 3 Chylothorax
severe symptoms; elective operative intervention indicatedGrade 4 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 4 Chylothorax|Grade 4 Chylothorax
life-threatening respiratory or hemodynamic compromise; intubation or urgent intervention indicatedGrade 5 Chylothorax, CTCAE|Grade 5 Chylothorax|Grade 5 Chylothorax
deathTraumatic Chylothorax
accumulation of lymph fluid in the pleural cavity as a result of thoracic trauma.
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.
Convert J94.8 to ICD-9-CMHistory
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About J94.8Overview
Is J94.8 (Other pleural conditions) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report other specified pleural conditions on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What MS-DRG does J94.8 group to?
When other specified pleural conditions is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 186, 187, 188, with relative weights from 0.7172 to 1.5585 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of J94.8?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, other specified pleural conditions converts to ICD-9-CM 511.0 (pleurisy w/o effus or TB) and 511.89 (effusion NEC exc tb). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
