Can we report an anemia diagnosis code when billing for MDS?
Yes. Use the anemia diagnosis that most closely describes the type of anemia the patient has, associated with their MDS. It remains necessary to bill the applicable MDS ICD-9-CM code from the range 238.72-238.75, also. Additional coverage criteria include: For patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS): 1. MDS with bone marrow blast count of less than 10% blasts. 2. Pretreatment erythropoietin levels less than or equal to 500 IU/L, for ESA therapy initiated on or after the effective date of this LCD. 3. Anemia associated with MDS, with Hb/HCT less than 10 / 30% at initiation of therapy. Treatment with ESAs is given to achieve and maintain a Hb level of 10-12 g/dl.
