ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for thalassemia
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Thalassemia (anemia) (disease)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding thalassemia
The ICD-10-CM code for thalassemia is D56.9 (Thalassemia, unspecified). The official index lists 23 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on D56.9.
Within D56, choose D56.9 (unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: alpha thalassemia (D56.0), beta thalassemia (D56.1), Delta-beta thalassemia (D56.2), minor (D56.3), hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin [HPFH] (D56.4), hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia (D56.5) and other thalassemias (D56.8).
It is not a CC or MCC, so as a secondary diagnosis it doesn't change the MS-DRG severity level.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075), DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), DRG 811 (Red Blood Cell Disorders with MCC, relative weight 1.3988) and DRG 812 (Red Blood Cell Disorders without MCC, relative weight 0.9234), in MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period) and MDC 16 (Diseases and Disorders of the Blood and Blood Forming Organs and Immunological Disorders), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific thalassemia codes (official index)
- with other hemoglobinopathy D56.8 — Other thalassemias
- alpha (major) (severe) (triple gene defect) D56.0 — Alpha thalassemia
- minor D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- silent carrier D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- trait D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- beta (severe) D56.1 — Beta thalassemia
- homozygous D56.1 — Beta thalassemia
- major D56.1 — Beta thalassemia
- minor D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- trait D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- delta-beta (homozygous) D56.2 — Delta-beta thalassemia
- minor D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- trait D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- dominant D56.8 — Other thalassemias
- hemoglobin
- C D56.8 — Other thalassemias
- E-beta D56.5 — Hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia
- intermedia D56.1 — Beta thalassemia
- major D56.1 — Beta thalassemia
- minor D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- mixed D56.8 — Other thalassemias
- sickle-cell
- specified type NEC D56.8 — Other thalassemias
- trait D56.3 — Thalassemia minor
- variants D56.8 — Other thalassemias
Common questions about thalassemia ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for thalassemia?
- D56.9 — Thalassemia, unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: D56.8, D56.0, D56.3, D56.3 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for alpha thalassemia?
- D56.0 — Alpha thalassemia.
What is the ICD-10 code for beta thalassemia?
- D56.1 — Beta thalassemia.
What is the ICD-10 code for delta-beta thalassemia?
- D56.2 — Delta-beta thalassemia.
What is the ICD-10 code for dominant thalassemia?
- D56.8 — Other thalassemias.
What is the ICD-10 code for intermedia thalassemia?
- D56.1 — Beta thalassemia.
What is the ICD-10 code for major thalassemia?
- D56.1 — Beta thalassemia.
Is D56.9 billable?
- Yes. D56.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can D56.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict D56.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is D56.9 a CC or MCC?
- No. D56.9 is neither a CC nor an MCC under MS-DRG v44.0.