Sample Answer

Two Types of Anemia

Iron Deficiency Anemia

This is the most common type of anemia, occurring when the body lacks enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and cold hands and feet.

Sickle Cell Anemia

This is a genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells. Instead of being disc-shaped, they become sickle-shaped, which can lead to various health problems. Symptoms can include fatigue, pain crises, swelling of hands and feet, frequent infections, and delayed growth.

Potential Coding Errors

Coders may encounter several challenges when coding anemia, including:

• Incorrect Code Assignment: Miscoding the underlying cause of anemia, such as misclassifying anemia due to chronic disease as simple iron deficiency anemia.
• Missing Essential Codes: Failing to code comorbidities or complications associated with anemia, such as heart failure or renal disease.
• Incorrect Sequencing: Improper sequencing of codes, especially when multiple diagnoses are present.
• Lack of Specificity: Not coding to the highest level of specificity, leading to undercoding and reduced reimbursement.

Coding Guidelines for Anemia Due to Neoplasms and Chemotherapy

Coding Guidelines:

• Identify the Underlying Malignancy: Accurately code the primary malignancy using the appropriate ICD-10-CM code.
• Code the Anemia: Assign the appropriate code for anemia, such as D50 (Iron deficiency anemia) or D64 (Other and unspecified anemias).
• Link the Anemia to the Malignancy: Use the appropriate Z code to link the anemia to the underlying malignancy. For example, Z85.81 (Personal history of malignant neoplasm of specified site) can be used to link the anemia to a specific type of cancer.