2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R71Abnormality of red blood cells

ICD-10-CM Codes›R00–R99›R70-R79›R71

ICD-10-CM R71
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R71 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for abnormality of red blood cells, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as R71.0 and R71.8. As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R71
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Abnormality of red blood cells
Short Description
Abnormality of red blood cells
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
R70-R79
Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR70-R79Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis
CategoryR71Abnormality of red blood cells
This CodeR71Abnormality of red blood cells

Specific Coding for Abnormality of red blood cellsOverview

Non-specific codes like R71 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • Use R71.0 for Precipitous drop in hematocrit

  • Use R71.8 for Other abnormality of red blood cells

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

  • anemias D50 D64
  • anemia of premature infant P61.2
  • benign familial polycythemia D75.0
  • congenital anemias P61.2 P61.4
  • newborn anemia due to isoimmunization P55
  • polycythemia neonatorum P61.1
  • polycythemia NOS D75.1
  • polycythemia vera D45
  • secondary polycythemia D75.1

Patient EducationClinical

Blood

Your blood is made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

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 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About R71Overview

Is R71 (Abnormality of red blood cells) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for abnormality of red blood cells, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for abnormality of red blood cells need a more specific code from this category, such as R71.0 and R71.8.

Can R71 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the abnormality of red blood cells is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.