J81
Non-Billable

Pulmonary edema

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Pulmonary edema?

ICD-10-CM J81 is the diagnosis code for Pulmonary edema. This code falls under the section "Other respiratory diseases principally affecting the interstitium" within Chapter 10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for J81

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as J81. They are mutually exclusive:

  • chemical (acute) pulmonary edema (J68.1)
  • hypostatic pneumonia (J18.2)
  • passive pneumonia (J18.2)
  • pulmonary edema due to external agents (J60-J70)
  • pulmonary edema with heart disease NOS (I50.1)
  • pulmonary edema with heart failure (I50.1)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where J81 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 2 entries
J81.0Acute pulmonary edemaBillableJ81.1Chronic pulmonary edemaBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is J81 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, J81 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does J81 mean?

J81 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Pulmonary edema". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is J81 in?

J81 is located in Section J80-J84 — "Other respiratory diseases principally affecting the interstitium" within Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of J81?

J81 has 2 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: J81.0, J81.1.

When should I use J81?

Use J81 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Pulmonary edema" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Pulmonary edema?

The ICD-10-CM code for Pulmonary edema is J81.

Can J81 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, J81 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is J81 in?

J81 is in Chapter 10 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from J81?

Type 1 Excludes for J81 include: chemical (acute) pulmonary edema (J68.1); hypostatic pneumonia (J18.2); passive pneumonia (J18.2) and more.

Is J81 valid for 2026?

Yes, J81 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousJ80Acute respiratory distress syndromeNext →J81.0Acute pulmonary edema
Code Details
J81
Pulmonary edema
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
10 — Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
J80-J84 — Other respiratory diseases principally affecting the interstitium
2026 ICD-10-CM