2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D56Thalassemia

ICD-10-CM Codes›D50–D89›D55-D59›D56

ICD-10-CM D56
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

D56 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for thalassemia, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as D56.0, D56.1, D56.2, and D56.3.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
D56
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Thalassemia
Short Description
Thalassemia
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
D55-D59
Hemolytic anemias

Code Classification

ChapterD50–D89Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
SectionD55-D59Hemolytic anemias
CategoryD56Thalassemia
This CodeD56Thalassemia

Specific Coding for ThalassemiaOverview

Non-specific codes like D56 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use D56.0 for Alpha thalassemia

  • Use D56.1 for Beta thalassemia

  • Use D56.2 for Delta-beta thalassemia

  • Use D56.3 for Thalassemia minor

  • Use D56.4 for Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin [HPFH]

  • Use D56.5 for Hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia

  • Use D56.8 for Other thalassemias

  • Use D56.9 for Thalassemia, unspecified

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to D56: its own notes plus those printed at Chapter 3. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • sickle-cell thalassemia (D57.4-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Chapter 3 (D50-D89) Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism applies to 324 codes
  • autoimmune disease (systemic) NOS (M35.9)
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease (B20)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name D56, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 1

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming D56: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • Block P50-P61 Hemorrhagic and hematological disorders of newborn
    hereditary hemolytic anemias (D55-D58) names D55-D58, which includes this code

Code First 1

These codes say to code first a condition named in the note, and D56 is one of the conditions named.

  • M36.3 Arthropathy in other blood disorders
    thalassemia (D56.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Thalassemia

    a group of hereditary hemolytic anemias in which there is decreased synthesis of one or more hemoglobin polypeptide chains. there are several genetic types with clinical pictures ranging from barely detectable hematologic abnormality to severe and fatal anemia.

Patient EducationClinical

Thalassemia

Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. If you have one, your body makes fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to the body. That leads to anemia. Thalassemias occur most often among people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Southern Asian, and African descent.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About D56Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for thalassemia?

D56 is the ICD-10-CM category for thalassemia, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is D56 (Thalassemia) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for thalassemia, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for thalassemia need a more specific code from this category, such as D56.0, D56.1, and D56.2.

Can D56 be reported with a code from D57.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on D56 lists "sickle-cell thalassemia (D57.4-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).