Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 281.9
Unspecified deficiency anemia
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 281.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 281.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 281.9 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM D53.9 Nutritional anemia, unspecified
Approximate Synonyms
  • Acute megaloblastic anemia
  • Anemia chronic
  • Anemia, acrostic
  • Anemia, chronic
  • Anemia, macrocytic
  • Anemia, megaloblastic
  • Anemia, megaloblastic, acute
  • Anemia, nutritional
  • Anemia, simple, chronic
  • Chronic anemia
  • Macrocytic anemia
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Nutritional anemia
  • Simple chronic anemia
Clinical Information
  • Anemias associated with impaired dna synthesis in bone marrow progenitor cells leading to odd shaped, macrocytic, or dysfunctional erythrocytes; usually caused by b12 or folate deficiency
Applies To
  • Anemia:
    • dimorphic
    • macrocytic
    • megaloblastic NOS
    • nutritional NOS
    • simple chronic
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 281.9:
  • Anemia 285.9
    • dimorphic 281.9
    • macrocytic 281.9
    • malnutrition 281.9
    • megaloblastic 281.9
      • combined B12 and folate deficiency 281.3
      • nutritional (of infancy) 281.2
      • of infancy 281.2
      • of or complicating pregnancy 648.2
      • refractory 281.3
      • specified NEC 281.3
    • megalocytic 281.9
    • nutritional (deficiency) 281.9
      • with
        • poor iron absorption 280.9
        • specified deficiency NEC 281.8
      • due to inadequate dietary iron intake 280.1
      • megaloblastic (of infancy) 281.2
    • simple chronic 281.9
  • Megalocytic anemia 281.9
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 281.9 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.