ICD-10 Code F40.230 – Fear of blood (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F40.230 – Fear of blood
What it is
F40.230 identifies a specific phobia involving an intense fear of blood. Use it when the fear is excessive, persistent, and causes distress or avoidance beyond ordinary discomfort.
Clinical signs
Clinical features may include immediate fear or anxiety when seeing blood, blood-related images, or anticipating exposure. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the record documents a diagnosed fear of blood, such as avoidance of medical settings, blood draws, or injury-related situations because of the phobia. It may also apply when the provider notes panic, fainting, or marked distress tied specifically to blood exposure.
Do not use for
Do not use it for general anxiety, needle fear without blood-specific fear, or brief discomfort with seeing blood. Check documentation if the chart does not clearly identify a blood phobia.
Coding tip
Code only when the provider documents fear of blood as the specific diagnosis, not just a symptom or a vague aversion.