Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 511.9
Unspecified pleural effusion
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 511.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 511.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 511.9 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM J91.8 Pleural effusion in other conditions classified elsewhere
Approximate Synonyms
  • Bilat pleural effusion
  • Bilateral pleural effusion
  • Chylothorax
  • Chylous effusion
  • Exudative pleural effusion
  • Loculated pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion (fluid around lung)
  • Secondary pleural effusion
Clinical Information
  • A disorder characterized by an increase in amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough and marked chest discomfort
  • An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity
  • Increased amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity containing no malignant cells
  • Increased amounts of fluid within the pleural cavity. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. It is usually caused by lung infections, congestive heart failure, pleural and lung tumors, connective tissue disorders, and trauma
  • Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself
  • Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces; it is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself
Applies To
  • Pleural effusion NOS
  • Pleurisy:
    • exudative
    • serofibrinous
    • serous
    • with effusion NOS
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 511.9:
  • Dropsy, dropsical (see also Edema) 782.3
    • chest 511.9
  • Effusion
    • pleura, pleurisy, pleuritic, pleuropericardial 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
      • fetus or newborn 511.9
      • malignant 511.81
      • nontuberculous 511.9
      • pneumococcal 511.1
      • staphylococcal 511.1
      • streptococcal 511.1
      • traumatic 862.29
      • tuberculous (see also Tuberculosis, pleura) 012.0
        • primary progressive 010.1
  • Fluid
    • chest (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
    • pleural cavity (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
  • Pleurisy (acute) (adhesive) (chronic) (costal) (diaphragmatic) (double) (dry) (fetid) (fibrinous) (fibrous) (interlobar) (latent) (lung) (old) (plastic) (primary) (residual) (sicca) (sterile) (subacute) (unresolved) (with adherent pleura) 511.0
    • with
      • effusion (without mention of cause) 511.9
        • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
        • nontuberculous NEC 511.9
        • pneumococcal 511.1
        • specified type NEC 511.89
        • staphylococcal 511.1
        • streptococcal 511.1
        • tuberculous (see also Tuberculosis, pleura) 012.0
          • primary, progressive 010.1
      • influenza, flu, or grippe (see also Influenza) 487.1
      • tuberculosis - see Pleurisy, tuberculous
    • exudative (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
    • serofibrinous (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
    • serous (see also Pleurisy, with effusion) 511.9
      • bacterial, nontuberculous 511.1
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 511.9 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.