D75

Other diseases of blood and blood-forming organs

Category D75 encompasses a heterogeneous group of hematologic disorders that are not classified under anemias, coagulation defects, or white blood cell disorders. This category is clinically significant as it includes various forms of erythrocytosis (overproduction of red blood cells), such as familial erythrocytosis and secondary polycythemia, which may be driven by chronic hypoxia or erythropoietin-secreting tumors. It also serves as the parent category for critical conditions like Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), an immune-mediated prothrombotic complication of heparin therapy, and myelofibrosis. These conditions represent pathologies of the bone marrow, spleen, and circulating blood elements that require distinct diagnostic pathways including bone marrow biopsy, genetic testing for JAK2 or EPO receptor mutations, and specialized immunoassays.

Clinical Symptoms

  • Headache and dizziness associated with hyperviscosity
  • Visual disturbances or blurred vision
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Plethora (ruddy or reddish complexion of the face and palms)
  • Aquagenic pruritus (itching after a warm bath or shower)
  • Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen causing left upper quadrant discomfort)
  • Paresthesia or burning sensations in the hands and feet
  • Unexplained thrombotic events (blood clots)
  • Fatigue and generalized malaise
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) if related to underlying pulmonary cause of polycythemia

Common Causes

  • Chronic hypoxia due to COPD, sleep apnea, or high-altitude living
  • Erythropoietin-secreting neoplasms (e.g., renal cell carcinoma, cerebellar hemangioblastoma)
  • Genetic mutations in oxygen-sensing pathways (e.g., EPOR, VHL, HIF2A mutations)
  • Immune-mediated response to heparin therapy (Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia)
  • Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms leading to secondary myelofibrosis
  • Heavy cigarette smoking (smoker's polycythemia)
  • Exogenous testosterone or anabolic steroid use
  • Chronic inflammation or scarring of the bone marrow

Documentation & Coding Tips

Distinguish between primary and secondary polycythemia for D75.1 accuracy.

Example: Patient with long-standing COPD presents with elevated hematocrit of 58 percent. Documentation confirms secondary erythrocytosis due to chronic hypoxia rather than polycythemia vera. Plan: Optimize oxygen therapy and monitor for hyperviscosity. Billing focus includes the underlying cause (J44.9) alongside D75.1. Risk adjustment: Captures chronic hypoxemic state.

Billing Focus: Identify the underlying cause of erythrocytosis such as hypoxia or renal tumor.

Document Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) with specificity for type and severity.

Example: Following initiation of UFH for DVT, the patient experienced a 50 percent drop in platelet count. Clinical diagnosis of HIT Type II confirmed by positive PF4 antibody and SRA assay. Immediate cessation of heparin products and transition to argatroban. Billing focus: D75.82 for HIT and T81.89XA for adverse effect. Risk adjustment: HCC 48 for Coagulation and Other Hematological Disorders.

Billing Focus: Distinguish HIT Type II (immune-mediated) from Type I (non-immune).

Capture Myelofibrosis documentation including primary versus secondary status.

Example: Bone marrow biopsy reveals grade 3 fibrosis with JAK2 mutation. Patient diagnosed with primary myelofibrosis (D75.81). Presenting with symptomatic splenomegaly and constitutional symptoms. Managed with Ruxolitinib 15mg BID. Billing focus: D75.81 as primary diagnosis. Risk adjustment: HCC 48, reflecting high complexity of chronic bone marrow failure.

Billing Focus: Document if the condition is primary or secondary to polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia.

Specify Splenic Infarction details including etiology and complications.

Example: Patient with atrial fibrillation presenting with acute left upper quadrant pain. CT abdomen confirms acute splenic infarction (D75.84). No evidence of splenic abscess. Etiology determined to be embolic. Billing focus: Laterality is not required for D75.84, but underlying cause like I48.21 must be coded. Risk adjustment: Acute status impacts hospital resource utilization.

Billing Focus: Code both the infarction and the underlying embolic or hematologic cause.

Document Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) as familial or acquired.

Example: A 45-year-old patient presents with high fever, cytopenia, and hyperferritinemia. NK cell activity is absent. Diagnosed with acquired HLH (D75.4) secondary to EBV infection. Treatment started with dexamethasone and etoposide. Billing focus: Use D75.4 and B27.00 for EBV. Risk adjustment: Critical severity level reflecting systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Billing Focus: Specify the trigger (e.g., viral, malignancy, or genetic).

Relevant CPT Codes