2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code O88.03Air embolism in the puerperium

ICD-10-CM Codes›O00-O9A›O85-O92›O88

ICD-10-CM O88.03
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

O88.03 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for air embolism in the puerperium. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is restricted by the Medicare Code Editor to maternity cases (age 9 through 64). Coders also document this condition as obstetrical air embolism. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complications specified during the puerperium.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
O88.03
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Air embolism in the puerperium
Short Description
Air embolism in the puerperium
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
O88.0
Obstetric air embolism

Code Classification

ChapterO00-O9APregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium
SectionO85-O92Complications predominantly related to the puerperium
CategoryO88Obstetric embolism
This CodeO88.03Air embolism in the puerperium

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for O88.03.

Maternity diagnoses
The Medicare Code Editor detects inconsistencies in maternity cases by checking a patient's age and any diagnosis on the patient's record. The maternity code edits apply to patients age ange is 9–64 years inclusive (e.g., diabetes in pregnancy, antepartum pulmonary complication).

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Obstetrical air embolism

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)
      • obstetric (in) (pulmonary)
        • puerperal
          • air

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR PRG027
Complications specified during the puerperium
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Postpartum Care

Taking home a new baby is one of the happiest times in a woman's life. But it also presents both physical and emotional challenges. :

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert O88.03 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
673.02 Ob air embol-deliv w p/p
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.
ICD-9-CM
673.04 Ob air embolism-postpart
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

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 O88.03Overview

Is O88.03 (Obstetric air embolism) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report air embolism in the puerperium on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Who can O88.03 be reported for?

The Medicare Code Editor checks air embolism in the puerperium against patient demographics: this code is intended for maternity cases (age 9 through 64). Claims outside these limits are flagged as inconsistent.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of O88.03?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, air embolism in the puerperium converts to ICD-9-CM 673.02 (ob air embol-deliv w p/p) and 673.04 (ob air embolism-postpart). 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.