ICD-10 Code J93.12 – Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J93.12 – Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax
What it is
J93.12 identifies a pneumothorax that develops without trauma but occurs in the setting of an underlying lung disease. The air in the pleural space causes partial or complete lung collapse.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, and reduced breath sounds on the affected side. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use J93.12 when the record states secondary spontaneous pneumothorax or clearly links the pneumothorax to an existing pulmonary disorder. Code it when the provider documents a spontaneous collapse in a patient with known lung disease.
Review the chart for the underlying condition and any laterality details if documented. If the note only says pneumothorax without cause, check documentation before assigning this code.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for traumatic, iatrogenic, or postoperative pneumothorax. It is also not appropriate when the record describes a primary spontaneous pneumothorax without underlying lung disease.
Coding tip
Confirm the underlying lung disease in the documentation and code it separately when required.