Abnormality of red blood cells (R71) ICD-10-CM
The R71 code range covers abnormality of red blood cells with 3 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 2 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
Codes in the R71 Range 3 codes · 2 billable
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the R71 range.
Erythrocyte Aggregation
The formation of clumps of RED BLOOD CELLS under low or non-flow conditions, resulting from the attraction forces between the red blood cells. The cells adhere to each other in rouleaux aggregates. Slight mechanical force, such as occurs in the circulation, is enough to disperse these aggregates. Stronger or weaker than normal aggregation may result from a variety of effects in the ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE or in BLOOD PLASMA. The degree of aggregation is affected by ERYTHROCYTE DEFORMABILITY, erythrocyte membrane sialylation, masking of negative surface charge by plasma proteins, etc. BLOOD VISCOSITY and the ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE are affected by the amount of erythrocyte aggregation and are parameters used to measure the aggregation.
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.
Heinz Bodies
Abnormal intracellular inclusions, composed of denatured hemoglobin, found on the membrane of red blood cells. They are seen in thalassemias, enzymopathies, hemoglobinopathies, and after splenectomy.
HELLP Syndrome
A syndrome of HEMOLYSIS, elevated liver ENZYMES, and low blood platelets count (THROMBOCYTOPENIA). HELLP syndrome is observed in PREGNANT PEOPLE with PRE-ECLAMPSIA or ECLAMPSIA who also exhibit LIVER damage and abnormalities in BLOOD COAGULATION.
Hemolysis
The destruction of ERYTHROCYTES by many different causal agents such as antibodies, bacteria, chemicals, temperature, and changes in tonicity.
About the R71 Code Range
The ICD-10 code R71 identifies abnormalities related to red blood cells, with specific subcodes used to describe particular types of red blood cell issues. The code R71.0 denotes a precipitous drop in hematocrit, which is a rapid decline in the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. R71.8 covers a wide range of other red blood cell abnormalities not classified elsewhere.
These codes are used for documenting various abnormal findings involving red blood cells without specifying a definitive diagnosis. For example, R71.0 applies when laboratory data shows a sudden hematocrit decrease, often described as hematocrit below or outside the reference range, or during a hemolytic crisis. The broader code R71.8 encompasses numerous conditions such as hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis, changes in red blood cell size or color, abnormal hemoglobin variants, and other irregularities like anisocytosis or poikilocytosis. Recognizing synonyms like "erythrocyte membrane abnormality" or "red blood cell population finding" helps coders accurately link clinical observations to the correct ICD-10 code. These codes serve to capture complex red blood cell abnormalities detected through lab tests or blood smear examinations, facilitating precise clinical documentation and coding.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the R71 range?
Of the 3 codes in this range, 2 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the R71 range classify?
The range classifies abnormality of red blood cells. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
