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ICD-10 Coding for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia(D52.0, D52.1, D52.8, D52.9)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Folate Deficiency AnemiaVitamin B9 Deficiency Anemia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

D52.0-D52.9Primary Range

Folate deficiency anemia

This range covers all types of folate deficiency anemia, including dietary, drug-induced, and unspecified causes.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
D52.0Dietary folate deficiency anemiaUse when anemia is due to dietary insufficiency of folate.
  • Serum folate <4 ng/mL
  • Poor nutritional intake documented
D52.1Drug-induced folate deficiency anemiaUse when anemia is due to medication affecting folate levels.
  • Serum folate <4 ng/mL
  • Documentation of drug use affecting folate metabolism
D52.8Other specified folate deficiency anemiasUse for specific causes not covered by D52.0 or D52.1.
  • Serum folate <4 ng/mL
  • Documented cause such as malabsorption or alcoholism
D52.9Unspecified folate deficiency anemiaUse when the cause of folate deficiency is not specified.
  • Serum folate <4 ng/mL
  • No specific cause documented

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for folic acid deficiency

Essential facts and insights about Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

The ICD-10 code for folic acid deficiency anemia is D52.0 for dietary causes, D52.1 for drug-induced, and D52.9 for unspecified causes.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for folic acid

Dietary folate deficiency anemia
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Serum folate level below 4 ng/mL with dietary history indicating poor intake.

Applicable To

  • Anemia due to poor nutrition

Excludes

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (D51.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Serum folate <4 ng/mL
  • Poor nutritional intake documented

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if dietary cause is not documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure dietary cause is clearly documented.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Adverse effect of drugs

T45.1X5A
Use to specify the drug causing folate deficiency.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

D51.0
Differentiate based on serum B12 levels.

Dietary folate deficiency anemia

D52.0
Differentiate based on drug use history.

Unspecified folate deficiency anemia

D52.9
Differentiate by specifying the cause.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code D52.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Increases risk of non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure thorough patient history and lab results are documented.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Increases risk of audit failures., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of clinical data.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies the cause to use a more specific code.

Impact

High risk of audits when using unspecified codes without justification.

Mitigation Strategy

Document specific causes wherever possible.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Folate deficiency due to poor diet

Specialty: Hematology

Required Elements

  • Dietary history
  • Serum folate levels
  • MCV values

Example Documentation

Patient presents with macrocytic anemia, serum folate 1.9 ng/mL, poor dietary intake documented.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Anemia, low folate. Start supplements.
Good Documentation Example
Macrocytic anemia (Hgb 8.9 g/dL, MCV 107 fL) with serum folate 1.9 ng/mL. Etiology: Poor oral intake.
Explanation
The good example specifies lab results and dietary cause, improving clarity and coding accuracy.

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