R71 Abnormality of red blood cells

Category / Non-billable header 2 subcodes

Block: Abnormal findings on examination of blood, without diagnosis (R70-R79)

Excludes 1 (cannot be coded together)

  • 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)

Subcodes

Subcodes are listed below for reference. Detail pages are not available for chapters 11–22.

Code Description Billable
R71..0 Precipitous drop in hematocrit Yes
R71..8 Other abnormality of red blood cells Yes

Last reviewed: September 2026