D56
Non-Billable

Thalassemia

Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code

What is Thalassemia?

ICD-10-CM D56 is the diagnosis code for Thalassemia. This code falls under the section "Hemolytic anemias" within Chapter 3 — Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism (D50-D89). It is a non-billable/non-specific ICD-10-CM code that should not be used for reimbursement. A more specific sub-code is required for billing. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for D56

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as D56. They are mutually exclusive:

  • sickle-cell thalassemia (D57.4-)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where D56 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Sub-Codes 8 entries
D56.0Alpha thalassemiaBillableD56.1Beta thalassemiaBillableD56.2Delta-beta thalassemiaBillableD56.3Thalassemia minorBillableD56.4Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin [HPFH]BillableD56.5Hemoglobin E-beta thalassemiaBillableD56.8Other thalassemiasBillableD56.9Thalassemia, unspecifiedBillable
Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is D56 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No, D56 is a non-billable/non-specific code. You should use a more specific sub-code for billing and reimbursement.

What does D56 mean?

D56 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Thalassemia". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What section is D56 in?

D56 is located in Section D55-D59 — "Hemolytic anemias" within Chapter 3 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What are the sub-codes of D56?

D56 has 8 sub-code(s) that provide more specific detail: D56.0, D56.1, D56.2, D56.3, D56.4 and more.

When should I use D56?

Use D56 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Thalassemia" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Thalassemia?

The ICD-10-CM code for Thalassemia is D56.

Can D56 be used for primary diagnosis?

No, D56 is non-billable. Use a more specific sub-code for primary diagnosis billing.

What chapter is D56 in?

D56 is in Chapter 3 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from D56?

Type 1 Excludes for D56 include: sickle-cell thalassemia (D57.4-).

Is D56 valid for 2026?

Yes, D56 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousD55.9Anemia due to enzyme disorder, unspecifiedNext →D56.0Alpha thalassemia
Code Details
D56
Thalassemia
Non-Billable / Non-Specific Code
3 — Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism (D50-D89)
D55-D59 — Hemolytic anemias
2026 ICD-10-CM