ICD-10 Code J93.0 – Spontaneous tension pneumothorax (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J93.0 – Spontaneous tension pneumothorax
What it is
J93.0 identifies a spontaneous pneumothorax that has become tension physiology, meaning air enters the pleural space and cannot escape. This causes increasing pressure in the chest and can rapidly impair breathing and circulation.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and unilateral decreased breath sounds. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for evidence of tension physiology or urgent decompression.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record clearly documents a spontaneous pneumothorax with tension, or equivalent wording such as “tension pneumothorax” without trauma. You should support the code with provider documentation of the nontraumatic cause and the tension component. If the note only says pneumothorax, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use J93.0 for traumatic pneumothorax, postoperative pneumothorax, or a simple spontaneous pneumothorax without tension. Check documentation if the cause or type is unclear.
Coding tip
Code J93.0 only when the provider documents both spontaneous origin and tension physiology; otherwise query for clarification.