2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D53.2Scorbutic anemia

ICD-10-CM Codes›D50–D89›D50-D53›D53

ICD-10-CM D53.2
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

D53.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for scorbutic anemia. 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 non megaloblastic anemia associated with nutritional deficiency. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Nutritional anemia.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D53.2
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Scorbutic anemia
Short Description
Scorbutic anemia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
D53
Other nutritional anemias

Code Classification

ChapterD50–D89Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
SectionD50-D53Nutritional anemias
CategoryD53Other nutritional anemias
This CodeD53.2Scorbutic anemia

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Non megaloblastic anemia associated with nutritional deficiency
  • Vitamin C deficiency anemia

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

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)
      • scorbutic
    • Scorbutus, scorbutic
      • anemia
    • Scurvy, scorbutic
      • anemia

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR BLD001
Nutritional anemia
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Anemia

If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert D53.2 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
281.8 Nutritional anemia NEC
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 D53.2Overview

Is D53.2 (Other nutritional anemias) a billable code?

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

What MS-DRG does D53.2 group to?

When scorbutic anemia 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 D53.2?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, scorbutic anemia converts to ICD-9-CM 281.8 (nutritional anemia NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.