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Diagnosis Coding: Using the ICD-10-CM

Coding Example 1

Now, we’ll review 6 examples that describe how to select an ICD-10-CM code. You can also see these coding examples in the Using the ICD-10-CM job aid. To find the job aid, select the Job Aid button or the Reference button at the top of any page in this course.

Diagnosis: Iron deficiency anemia

Click the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List tabs to select an ICD-10-CM code for this diagnosis.

Step 1: Look up the term for the diagnosis in the Alphabetic Index.

Anemia (essential) (general) (hemoglobin deficiency) (infantile) (primary) (profound) D64.9
- with (due to) (in)
- - disorder of
- - iron D50.9
- - - secondary to blood loss (chronic) D50.0
- - nutritional D53.9
- - - with
- - - - poor iron absorption D50.8
- - - - specified deficiency NEC D53.8

The Alphabetic Index lists D50.9 as the code for iron deficiency anemia. Next, verify this code in the Tabular List.

Step 2: Verify the code D50.9 in the Tabular List.

D50.9 Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified

The Tabular List shows D50.9 as the code for Iron deficiency anemia, unspecified.

Code Assignment for this Diagnosis: D50.9