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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAnemia Of Chronic Disease

Anemia Of Chronic Disease

ICD-10 Coding for Anemia of Chronic Disease(D63.1, D63.8)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYNephrology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Anemia Of Chronic Disease?
Essential facts and insights about Anemia of Chronic Disease

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of anemia with hemoglobin levels typically below 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men, often accompanied by fatigue and pallor.
  • Laboratory findings may include low serum iron, low transferrin saturation, and normal or increased ferritin levels, indicating iron sequestration.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of pallor, tachycardia, or signs of underlying chronic disease such as renal failure or inflammatory conditions.
  • Imaging or procedural findings are not typically required for diagnosis but may include ultrasound or CT scans to assess underlying chronic conditions.
  • Severity criteria may include classification based on hemoglobin levels and the impact on daily activities, with staging based on the underlying chronic disease.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Medical records must document the diagnosis of anemia, including the type (chronic disease) and any underlying conditions.
  • Specific terminology such as 'anemia of chronic disease' or 'anemia secondary to chronic illness' must be used.
  • Examples include: 'Patient diagnosed with anemia of chronic disease due to chronic kidney disease' or 'Anemia secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.'
  • Documentation must demonstrate medical necessity for testing and treatment, including rationale for anemia evaluation.
  • Quality measures may require documentation of hemoglobin levels, treatment plans, and follow-up assessments.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use D63.1 for anemia specifically due to chronic disease, such as chronic kidney disease or malignancy.
  • Do not use this code for anemia due to acute blood loss or iron deficiency anemia, as these have distinct codes.
  • Compare with D50.9 (iron deficiency anemia) and D64.9 (anemia, unspecified) for differentiation.
  • Common errors include misclassifying anemia types; ensure the underlying chronic disease is documented.
  • In complex cases, consider the primary condition causing anemia and document accordingly to support code selection.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes anemia due to acute blood loss (D62) and iron deficiency anemia (D50).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include D50.9 for unspecified iron deficiency anemia.
  • Conditions are excluded because they have distinct etiologies and treatment protocols.
  • Common mistakes include using D63.1 for acute or iron deficiency anemia; ensure accurate diagnosis.
  • Related but distinct conditions include aplastic anemia (D61) and hemolytic anemia (D59).

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
D63.1
Anemia of chronic disease
D63.8
Anemia in other chronic diseases
Ancillary Codes
N18.x
Differential Codes
D63.8
D63.8
when anemia is linked to chronic diseases other than CKD.
D63.0
D63.0
when anemia is linked to neoplastic conditions.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Nephrology

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to patients with chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
  • Patient populations include adults, particularly those over 65, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient nephrology clinics, inpatient hospital settings, and specialty care.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in nephrology, oncology, and rheumatology.
  • Treatment contexts include management of anemia in patients undergoing dialysis or cancer treatment.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with anemia of chronic disease based on hemoglobin levels and chronic kidney disease.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with anemia of chronic disease including fatigue and pallor.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for anemia of chronic disease met as evidenced by low hemoglobin and normal ferritin levels.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for anemia of chronic disease with erythropoietin therapy and iron supplementation.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for anemia of chronic disease including monitoring hemoglobin levels and renal function.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include hemoglobin levels, underlying chronic disease, and treatment plans.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Anemia of chronic disease is characterized by normal iron stores, unlike iron deficiency anemia.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure medical necessity is documented to optimize claims for anemia treatment.

What procedures are typically associated?

Related CPT codes may include those for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplementation.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking hemoglobin levels and treatment efficacy in chronic disease management.