ICD-10 Code for Anemia
The ICD-10 code for anemia depends on the specific type and etiology, but the most commonly used codes include D50.0 for acute posthemorrhagic anemia, D50.9 for unspecified iron deficiency anemia, D51 for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, D62 for acute posthemorrhagic anemia (chronic), and D64.9 for unspecified anemia when the cause has not been determined.
Primary ICD-10 Codes for Anemia
Iron Deficiency Anemia
- D50.0: Acute posthemorrhagic anemia (anemia caused by acute bleeding) 1
- D50.9: Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified - the most common code when iron deficiency is confirmed but specific subtype is not documented 2
Vitamin Deficiency Anemias
- D51: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency anemia - used when B12 deficiency with anemia is documented 3
- D52: Folate deficiency anemia 4
Hemorrhagic Anemia
- D62: Acute posthemorrhagic anemia (chronic blood loss) - distinct from D50.0 which is acute 1
Unspecified Anemia
- D64.9: Anemia, unspecified - appropriate when anemia is documented but specific etiology has not been determined 2
Clinical Context for Code Selection
When to Use Specific vs. Unspecified Codes
- Use the most specific code available based on laboratory confirmation and clinical evaluation 5, 2
- D64.9 (unspecified anemia) should only be used when diagnostic workup is incomplete or etiology remains unclear after appropriate investigation 2
- The diagnosis code should reflect documented hemoglobin levels: <13.0 g/dL in males and <12.0 g/dL in females for adults over 15 years 5, 2
Documentation Requirements
- Proper coding requires documentation of hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and ideally the underlying cause 5, 2
- For anemia of chronic kidney disease, specific codes exist within the D63 series that should be used instead of general anemia codes 5
- Severity classification (mild: Hb 10-11.9 g/dL, moderate: 8.0-9.9 g/dL, severe: <8.0 g/dL) may influence code selection in some systems 5, 2
Important Coding Considerations
Validation and Accuracy
- The positive predictive value of ICD-10 coding for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (D51) is relatively low at 31.5-36.8% when validated against biochemical parameters, so clinical correlation is essential 3
- In contrast, coding for anemia caused by bleeding (D50.0, D62) has high accuracy with a positive predictive value of 95.4% 1
Common Pitfalls
- Avoid using unspecified codes when specific diagnostic information is available from complete blood count, ferritin, transferrin saturation, or vitamin levels 5, 2
- Do not code anemia without confirming hemoglobin levels meet diagnostic thresholds for the patient's age and sex 5, 2
- For pregnant women, different hemoglobin thresholds apply (<11.0 g/dL), which may affect code selection 2