J86.9Pyothorax without fistula

J86.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Pyothorax without fistula. It belongs to category J86 (Pyothorax), block J85-J86 (suppurative and necrotic conditions of the lower respiratory tract) and chapter 10 (diseases of the respiratory system). It is billable, so it can be reported on its own for dates of service from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Within J86, choose J86.9 (without fistula) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: with fistula (J86.0).

Use an additional code (B95-B97) to identify infectious agent.

As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.

In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 177 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with MCC, relative weight 1.6092), DRG 178 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations with CC, relative weight 0.9744), DRG 179 (Respiratory Infections and Inflammations without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.7345), DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075) and DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), in MDC 04 (Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Before ICD-10, this condition was coded in ICD-9-CM as 510.9 (Empyema without mention of fistula) and 511.0 (pleurisy without mention of effusion or current tuberculosis).