J90Pleural effusion, not elsewhere classified

J90 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pleural effusion, not elsewhere classified. It belongs to block J90-J94 (other diseases of the pleura) 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.

Don't report J90 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: chylous (pleural) effusion (J94.0), malignant pleural effusion (J91.0)), pleurisy NOS (R09.1) and tuberculous pleural effusion (A15.6).

As a secondary diagnosis it is a CC (complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the "with CC" 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 186 (Pleural Effusion with MCC, relative weight 1.5835), DRG 187 (Pleural Effusion with CC, relative weight 1.0001), DRG 188 (Pleural Effusion without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.6654), 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 511.1 (pleurisy with effusion, with mention of a bacterial cause other than tuberculosis) and 511.89 (other specified forms of effusion, except tuberculous).