Iron deficiency anemia ICD-10 code
The ICD-10-CM code for iron deficiency anemia is D50.9 (iron deficiency anemia, unspecified). It is billable and valid for submission on a claim. There are 14 related codes, and which one you use depends on what the documentation supports.
Also written as ida.
The mistake coders make here
D50.9 is the unspecified default. D50.0 is specifically anemia secondary to chronic blood loss: a distinction payers do look at, and the chart usually supports it.
Putting iron deficiency anemia on a claim? Check the claim’s diagnosis codes free: Excludes1 conflicts, header codes and missing seventh characters, before it goes out.
ICD-10-CM codes for iron deficiency anemia
11 of 14 are billable. Green means you can submit it as-is.
| Code | Use it when |
|---|---|
| D50.9 | Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified |
| D50.0 | Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chronic) |
| D50.1 | Sideropenic dysphagia |
| D50.8 | Other iron deficiency anemias |
| D50 | Iron deficiency anemianot billable on its own |
| D52 | Folate deficiency anemianot billable on its own |
| D53.0 | Protein deficiency anemia |
| D51 | Vitamin B12 deficiency anemianot billable on its own |
| D52.0 | Dietary folate deficiency anemia |
| D52.1 | Drug-induced folate deficiency anemia |
| D52.9 | Folate deficiency anemia, unspecified |
| D51.9 | Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, unspecified |
| D51.3 | Other dietary vitamin B12 deficiency anemia |
| D52.8 | Other folate deficiency anemias |
Once you have the code
- Check the whole claim: Excludes1 conflicts and missing seventh characters, free
- Denial codes explained: what CO-16, CO-97 and the rest actually mean
- Decision guides: walk a chart note to a code, guideline cited
- Everything here that is free, and the one thing no free tool includes
D50.9 is the default; D50.0 needs chronic blood loss in the note
D50.9 is iron deficiency anemia unspecified, and it is what 'iron deficiency anemia' with no stated cause supports. D50.0 is iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss (chronic): the word chronic is part of the code, and the provider has to link the anemia to the chronic loss (menorrhagia, a bleeding lesion, occult GI loss) for it to apply. D50.1 is sideropenic dysphagia (Plummer-Vinson) and D50.8 is other iron deficiency anemias, such as dietary. Iron deficiency without anemia is E61.1, not a D50 code at all.
Acute blood loss is D62, not D50.0
Anemia from acute hemorrhage (post-operative, after a GI bleed, after trauma) is D62, acute posthemorrhagic anemia. It is a different mechanism from iron deficiency and D50.0 is wrong for it. On an inpatient record, expect the provider to state the anemia was due to the acute blood loss; a hemoglobin drop alone is a lab value, not a diagnosis, and 'expected' post-operative blood loss is not coded as a complication unless the provider documents it as clinically significant.
When the anemia belongs to another disease
Anemia in chronic kidney disease is D63.1, coded after the CKD stage (N18.-), and anemia in neoplastic disease is D63.0, coded after the neoplasm; neither is a D50 code even if the patient is also iron deficient, unless the provider documents both. The Official Guidelines (Section I.C.2.c.1) sequence the malignancy first when the admission is for managing anemia due to the cancer; anemia caused by chemotherapy is D64.81 with the T45.1X5- adverse-effect code and, per I.C.2.c.2, is sequenced first when the encounter is for the anemia alone.
Common questions
- What is the ICD-10 code for iron deficiency anemia?
- D50.9, iron deficiency anemia, unspecified. It is billable. If the provider attributes it to chronic blood loss, D50.0 is the more specific code.
- What is the difference between D50.0 and D62?
- D50.0 is iron deficiency anemia secondary to chronic blood loss: a slow loss over time that has depleted iron stores. D62 is acute posthemorrhagic anemia, from a sudden bleed such as surgery or a GI hemorrhage. They are different mechanisms and are not interchangeable.
- How do I code anemia in chronic kidney disease?
- Code the CKD stage first (N18.-), then D63.1, anemia in chronic kidney disease. Do not use D50.9 unless the provider separately documents iron deficiency as well.