2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D46.20Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified

ICD-10-CM Codes›C00–D49›D37-D48›D46

ICD-10-CM D46.20
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

D46.20 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 811 through 812. Coders also document this condition as myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D46.20
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified
Short Description
Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
D46.2
Refractory anemia with excess of blasts [RAEB]

Code Classification

ChapterC00–D49Neoplasms
SectionD37-D48Neoplasms of uncertain behavior, polycythemia vera and myelodysplastic syndromes
CategoryD46Myelodysplastic syndromes
This CodeD46.20Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • RAEB NOS

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Anemia(essential) (general) (hemoglobin deficiency) (infantile) (primary) (profound)
      • refractory
        • with
          • excess of blasts
    • Syndrome
      • myelodysplastic
        • lesions, low grade

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR NEO068
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Your bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells that fight infections, and the platelets that help with blood clotting.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert D46.20 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
238.72 Low grde myelody syn les
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About D46.20Overview

Is D46.20 (Refractory anemia with excess of blasts [RAEB]) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does D46.20 group to?

When refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 811, 812, with relative weights from 0.9182 to 1.4043 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of D46.20?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified converts to ICD-9-CM 238.72 (low grde myelody syn les). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.