ICD-10 Code D57.81 – Other sickle-cell disorders with crisis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D57.81 – Other sickle-cell disorders with crisis
What it is
D57.81 identifies a sickle-cell disorder other than the more specific listed types, when the patient is having an acute crisis. Use it for documentation that clearly states sickle-cell disease or sickle-cell disorder with crisis, but does not specify a more exact subtype.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Crisis may be described as acute pain, anemia-related symptoms, or other sickle-cell complications, but the record should support that a crisis is present.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents an “other” sickle-cell disorder and specifies a crisis, but the chart does not support a more specific sickle-cell code. It is appropriate for encounters focused on the acute crisis episode. If the record names a different sickle-cell subtype, code that more specific diagnosis instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for sickle-cell conditions without crisis, or when the documentation identifies a more specific sickle-cell diagnosis. Check documentation if the chart only says sickle-cell trait or another non-crisis condition.
Coding tip
Always verify both elements: the sickle-cell disorder type and the presence of crisis.