ICD-10 Code D46.20 – Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D46.20 – Refractory anemia with excess of blasts, unspecified
What it is
D46.20 identifies a myelodysplastic syndrome with refractory anemia and excess blasts, but the subtype is not further specified. It describes a bone marrow disorder that impairs normal blood cell production.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, records note anemia, cytopenias, or bone marrow findings showing increased blasts consistent with a myelodysplastic process.
When to use this code
Use D46.20 when the provider documents refractory anemia with excess blasts and does not identify a more specific subtype. Apply it when the record supports a myelodysplastic syndrome diagnosis, but the exact category is left unspecified.
Check the assessment, pathology, or hematology notes for wording such as “unspecified” or “not otherwise specified.” Do not infer a more detailed code from incomplete documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for other myelodysplastic syndromes, isolated anemia, or leukemia. If the documentation names a different subtype, code that condition instead.
Coding tip
Code the diagnosis exactly as documented, and query the provider if “refractory anemia with excess blasts” is mentioned without the unspecified qualifier.