ICD-10 Code J95.3 – Chronic pulmonary insufficiency following surgery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J95.3 – Chronic pulmonary insufficiency following surgery
What it is
J95.3 identifies chronic pulmonary insufficiency that develops after surgery. Use it when the record shows ongoing lung function impairment related to a postoperative state.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, you may see persistent shortness of breath, reduced respiratory reserve, or continued need for pulmonary follow-up after surgery.
When to use this code
Use J95.3 when the provider documents chronic pulmonary insufficiency as a complication or residual effect of surgery. It may apply during follow-up visits, ongoing management, or when the condition remains active after the immediate postoperative period.
Code it only when the link to surgery is clearly documented. If the note describes a different postoperative respiratory problem, or the relationship is uncertain, check documentation before assigning J95.3.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for acute postoperative respiratory distress, transient anesthesia effects, or unspecified breathing complaints without a documented chronic postoperative cause.
Coding tip
Look for explicit wording such as “chronic pulmonary insufficiency following surgery” or an equivalent documented postoperative complication before coding.