Sickle-cell/Hb-C disease without crisis

This code identifies a specific type of sickle cell disease, characterized by the inheritance of one sickle hemoglobin gene (HbS) and one hemoglobin C gene (HbC). Patients with sickle-cell/Hb-C disease typically experience a milder clinical course compared to homozygous sickle cell anemia (HbSS), often without the acute painful episodes known as crises.

Apply this code for patients diagnosed with sickle-cell/Hb-C disease who are not currently experiencing a vaso-occlusive crisis or other acute complications. Documentation should clearly state the diagnosis of "sickle-cell/Hb-C disease" or "SC disease" and confirm the absence of an acute crisis. This code is appropriate for routine follow-up, medication management, or evaluation of chronic complications in a stable patient.

• Do not use this code if the patient is experiencing an acute sickle cell crisis; instead, select a code from D57.21x.
• Distinguish carefully between sickle-cell/Hb-C disease and other sickle cell disorders (e.g., D57.0 for HbSS, D57.1 for sickle cell trait).
• Always review documentation for specific genetic testing results or physician statements confirming the HbSC genotype.