Pyothorax (J86) ICD-10-CM
The J86 code range covers pyothorax with 3 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 2 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
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 J86 Range 3 codes · 2 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the J86 range.
Empyema
Presence of pus in a hollow organ or body cavity.
Empyema, Pleural
Suppurative inflammation of the pleural space.
About the J86 Code Range
Pyothorax is pus-producing inflammation in the pleural space, the space around the lungs.
J86 splits by whether a fistula, an abnormal connection, is present. J86.0 is pyothorax with a fistula; J86.9 is pyothorax without one.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the J86 range?
Of the 3 codes in this range, 2 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the J86 range classify?
The range classifies pyothorax. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
