Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 511.81
Malignant pleural effusion
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 511.81 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 511.81 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: 511.81 converts directly to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM J91.0 Malignant pleural effusion
Approximate Synonyms
  • Neoplastic pleural effusion
  • Pleural effusion due to malignancy
Clinical Information
  • A collection of fluid in the pleural cavity as a result of malignant disease. Malignant pleural effusion fluid often contains free-floating malignant cells
  • A condition in which cancer causes an abnormal amount of fluid to collect between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the outside of the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia cause most malignant pleural effusions
  • Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity as a complication of malignant disease. Malignant pleural effusions often contain actual malignant cells
Code First
  • Code first malignant neoplasm, if known
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 511.81:
  • Effusion
    • pleura, pleurisy, pleuritic, pleuropericardial 511.9
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 511.81 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.