Pneumothorax and air leak (J93) ICD-10-CM
The J93 code range covers pneumothorax and air leak with 10 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 7 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Codes in the J93 Range 10 codes · 7 billable
- J93 Pneumothorax and air leakNon-billable
- J93.0 Spontaneous tension pneumothorax
- J93.1 Other spontaneous pneumothoraxNon-billable
- J93.11 Primary spontaneous pneumothorax
- J93.12 Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
- J93.8 Other pneumothorax and air leakNon-billable
- J93.81 Chronic pneumothorax
- J93.82 Other air leak
- J93.83 Other pneumothorax
- J93.9 Pneumothorax, unspecified
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the J93 range.
Pleural Cavity
Paired but separate cavity within the THORACIC CAVITY. It consists of the space between the parietal and visceral PLEURA and normally contains a capillary layer of serous fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces.
Pneumothorax
An accumulation of air or gas in the PLEURAL CAVITY, which may occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma or a pathological process. The gas may also be introduced deliberately during PNEUMOTHORAX, ARTIFICIAL.
Pneumothorax, Artificial
Injection of air or a more slowly absorbed gas such as nitrogen, into the PLEURAL CAVITY to collapse the lung.
About the J93 Code Range
ICD-10 code J93 covers pneumothorax and air leak conditions, which involve air escaping from the lung into the chest cavity. These codes are used for precise diagnosis and billing of different types of pneumothorax, such as spontaneous tension pneumothorax and chronic pneumothorax.
This section includes codes like J93.0 for spontaneous tension pneumothorax, also called tension pneumothorax, an urgent condition where air pressure builds rapidly. J93.11 captures primary spontaneous pneumothorax, sometimes known as familial spontaneous pneumothorax, occurring without lung disease, while J93.12 is for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, often linked to infections like Pneumocystis jirovecii. Other codes, such as J93.81 (chronic pneumothorax) and J93.82 (other air leaks), address less common presentations. For instances where the type of pneumothorax is unclear, J93.9 is used, covering conditions like right or left pneumothorax and closed pneumothorax. This detailed ICD-10 code grouping helps clinicians and coders accurately specify the exact type of pneumothorax or air leak being treated or documented.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the J93 range?
Of the 10 codes in this range, 7 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the J93 range classify?
The range classifies pneumothorax and air leak. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
