Understanding Normocytic Normochromic Anemia: This resource explores the diagnosis, clinical documentation, and medical coding of normocytic normochromic anemia. Find information on differential diagnosis, lab tests like MCV, MCH, and hemoglobin levels, along with ICD-10 codes and common underlying causes. Learn about relevant healthcare considerations for effective patient management and accurate medical record keeping.
Also known as
Nutritional anemias
Anemias caused by dietary deficiencies.
Aplastic and other anemias
Conditions affecting red blood cell production.
Purpura and other hemorrhagic conditions
Bleeding disorders that can lead to anemia.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is anemia due to blood loss (acute or chronic)?
Yes
Code as D62 (Acute posthemorrhagic anemia) or D50.0 (Iron deficiency anemia secondary to blood loss) depending on acuteness and iron status.
No
Is there evidence of chronic disease?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Normocytic Normochromic Anemia |
| Aplastic Anemia |
| Hemolytic Anemia |
Coding normocytic normochromic anemia without specifying underlying cause (e.g., chronic disease) leads to inaccurate DRG assignment and lost revenue.
Overlooking secondary anemia diagnoses (e.g., due to iron deficiency or renal disease) impacts quality metrics and reimbursement.
Insufficient clinical documentation supporting the anemia diagnosis can trigger denials and compliance issues. CDI specialist intervention is key.
Patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of normocytic normochromic anemia. Presenting complaints include fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath on exertion. Physical examination reveals pallor, but no jaundice or lymphadenopathy. Review of systems reveals recent history of decreased exercise tolerance and generalized malaise. The patient denies fever, chills, weight loss, or recent infections. Laboratory findings demonstrate a hemoglobin level within the normal range for the patient's age and sex, but below the established threshold for normal, confirming normocytic normochromic anemia. MCV and MCH are within normal limits, ruling out macrocytic or microcytic anemia and supporting the diagnosis of normochromic anemia. Further workup, including a comprehensive metabolic panel, reticulocyte count, peripheral blood smear, and iron studies (serum iron, ferritin, TIBC) will be conducted to determine the underlying etiology of the anemia. Differential diagnosis includes anemia of chronic disease, chronic kidney disease, acute blood loss, hemolytic anemia, and bone marrow disorders. Initial management includes patient education regarding diet, rest, and symptom management. Follow-up appointment scheduled to discuss further diagnostic testing results and formulate a definitive treatment plan based on the underlying cause of the normocytic normochromic anemia. ICD-10 coding for anemia will be applied upon confirmation of the specific underlying cause. Medical billing will reflect evaluation and management services as well as laboratory testing.