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  6. 2024 ICD-10-CM Code I26
Version 2024
Non-Billable Code

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I26

Pulmonary embolism

ICD-10-CM Code:
I26
ICD-10 Code for:
Pulmonary embolism
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the circulatory system
    (I00–I99)
    • Pulmonary heart disease and diseases of pulmonary circulation
      (I26-I28)
      • Pulmonary embolism
        (I26)

I26 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Pulmonary embolism

Non-specific codes like I26 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for pulmonary embolism:

  • I26.0 for Pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.01 for Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.02 for Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.09 for Other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • I26.9 for Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.90 for Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.92 for Saddle embolus of pulmonary artery without acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.93 for Single subsegmental pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.94 for Multiple subsegmental pulmonary emboli without acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I26.99 for Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale - BILLABLE CODE

Clinical Information

  • Pulmonary Embolism

    blocking of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by an embolus.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Includes

Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) infarction
  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) thromboembolism
  • pulmonary (acute) (artery)(vein) thrombosis

Type 1 Excludes

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.
  • cor pulmonale without embolism I27.81

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • chronic pulmonary embolism I27.82
  • personal history of pulmonary embolism Z86.711
  • pulmonary embolism complicating abortion, ectopic or molar pregnancy O00 O07 O08.2
  • pulmonary embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium O88
  • pulmonary embolism due to trauma T79.0 T79.1
  • pulmonary embolism due to complications of surgical and medical care T80.0 T81.7 T82.8
  • septic non-pulmonary arterial embolism I76

Patient Education


Pulmonary Embolism

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. It usually happens when a blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. PE is a serious condition that can cause:

  • Permanent damage to the lungs
  • Low oxygen levels in your blood
  • Damage to other organs in your body from not getting enough oxygen

PE can be life-threatening, especially if a clot is large, or if there are many clots.

What causes a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

The cause is usually a blood clot in the leg called a deep vein thrombosis that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs.

Who is at risk for a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

Anyone can get a pulmonary embolism (PE), but certain things can raise your risk of PE:

  • Having surgery, especially joint replacement surgery
  • Certain medical conditions, including
    • Cancers
    • Heart diseases
    • Lung diseases
    • A broken hip or leg bone or other trauma
  • Hormone-based medicines, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
  • Pregnancy and childbirth. The risk is highest for about six weeks after childbirth.
  • Not moving for long periods, such as being on bed rest, having a cast, or taking a long plane flight
  • Age. Your risk increases as you get older, especially after age 40.
  • Family history and genetics. Certain genetic changes that can increase your risk of blood clots and PE.
  • Obesity

What are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

Half the people who have pulmonary embolism have no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they can include shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood. Symptoms of a blood clot include warmth, swelling, pain, tenderness and redness of the leg.

How is a pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed?

It can be difficult to diagnose PE. To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will:

  • Take your medical history, including asking about your symptoms and risk factors for PE
  • Do a physical exam
  • Run some tests, including various imaging tests and possibly some blood tests

What are the treatments for a pulmonary embolism (PE)?

If you have PE, you need medical treatment right away. The goal of treatment is to break up clots and help keep other clots from forming. Treatment options include medicines and procedures.

Medicines:

  • Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, keep blood clots from getting larger and stop new clots from forming. You might get them as an injection, a pill, or through an I.V. (intravenous). They can cause bleeding, especially if you are taking other medicines that also thin your blood, such as aspirin.
  • Thrombolytics are medicines to dissolve blood clots. You may get them if you have large clots that cause severe symptoms or other serious complications. Thrombolytics can cause sudden bleeding, so they are used if your PE is serious and may be life-threatening.

Procedures:

  • Catheter-assisted thrombus removal uses a flexible tube to reach a blood clot in your lung. Your health care provider can insert a tool in the tube to break up the clot or to deliver medicine through the tube. Usually you will get medicine to put you to sleep for this procedure.
  • A vena cava filter may be used in some people who cannot take blood thinners. Your health care provider inserts a filter inside a large vein called the vena cava. The filter catches blood clots before they travel to the lungs, which prevents pulmonary embolism. But the filter does not stop new blood clots from forming.

Can pulmonary embolism (PE) be prevented?

Preventing new blood clots can prevent PE. Prevention may include:

  • Continuing to take blood thinners. It's also important to get regular checkups with your provider, to make sure that the dosage of your medicines is working to prevent blood clots but not causing bleeding.
  • Heart-healthy lifestyle changes, such as heart-healthy eating, exercise, and, if you smoke, quitting smoking
    • Using compression stockings to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Moving your legs when sitting for long periods of time (such as on long trips)
  • Moving around as soon as possible after surgery or being confined to a bed

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.