Q&A: Choosing a principal diagnosis between anemia and malignancy

Article Overview

This Q&A explains a common CDI and inpatient coding scenario involving neoplasm-related anemia and how principal diagnosis sequencing is approached under ICD-10-CM guidance. It is aimed at coders, CDI specialists, and clinical documentation staff who need a broader understanding of how the official guidelines frame encounters involving malignancy, complications, and anemia. The article also highlights the importance of reviewing the medical record to understand what care was provided and the overall focus of the admission.