Clinical Information A decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the body cannot absorb vitamin b12A megaloblastic anemia occurring in children but more commonly in later life, characterized by histamine-fast achlorhydria, in which the laboratory and clinical manifestations are based on malabsorption of vitamin b 12 due to a failure of the gastric mucosa to secrete adequate and potent intrinsic factor. A type of anemia (low red blood cell count) caused by the body's inability to absorb vitamin b12.Anemia due to poor intestinal absorption of vitamin b12 caused by defective production of intrinsic factor (a carrier protein) by the gastric mucosa.Megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin b-12 deficiency due to impaired absorption. The impaired absorption of vitamin b-12 is secondary to atrophic gastritis and loss of gastric parietal cells.Applicable To Addison anemiaBiermer anemiaPernicious (congenital) anemiaCongenital intrinsic factor deficiencyApproximate Synonyms Anemia, perniciousPernicious anemiaICD-10-CM is grouped within Diagnostic Related Group(s) (MS-DRG v34.0):811 Red blood cell disorders with mcc812 Red blood cell disorders without mccConvert ICD-10-CM D51.0 to ICD-9-CMThe following ICD-10-CM Index entries contain back-references to ICD-10-CM :Addison-Biermer anemia (pernicious) Addison'sanemia (pernicious) Anemia (essential) (general) (hemoglobin deficiency) (infantile) (primary) (profound) D64.9Addison (-Biermer) (pernicious) Biermer's (pernicious) combined system disease NEC cytogenic malignant (progressive) pernicious (congenital) (malignant) (progressive) congenital P61.4pernicious progressive D64.9malignant
Back To News Home Item 11 of 33 in this Category Does Medicare Cover Vitamin B-12 Injections (Shots)? Published on 2013-03-20 19:04:11Category: General Medicare In specific cases, Medicare will cover Vitamin B-12 injections (as noted in the Medicare benefits manual). Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 7 - Home Health Services (Rev. 208, 05-11-15) 40.1.2.4 - Administration of Medications (Rev. 1, 10-01-03) A3-3118.1.B.4, HHA-205.1.B.4 Although drugs and biologicals are specifically excluded from coverage by the statute (§1861(m)(5) of the Act, the services of a nurse that are required to administer the medications safely and effectively may be covered if they are reasonable and necessary to the treatment of the illness or injury. Intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections and infusions, and hypodermoclysis or intravenous feedings require the skills of a licensed nurse to be performed (or taught) safely and effectively. Where these services are reasonable and necessary to treat the illness or injury, they may be covered.
For these services to be reasonable and necessary, the medication being administered must be accepted as safe and effective treatment of the patient's illness or injury, and there must be a medical reason that the medication cannot be taken orally. Moreover, the frequency and duration of the administration of the medication must be within accepted standards of medical practice, or there must be a valid explanation regarding the extenuating circumstances to justify the need for the additional injections. 1. Vitamin B-12 injections are considered specific therapy only for the following conditions: • Specified anemias: pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemias, macrocytic anemias, fish tapeworm anemia; Specified gastrointestinal disorders: gastrectomy, malabsorption syndromes such as sprue and idiopathic steatorrhea, surgical and mechanical disorders such as resection of the small intestine, strictures, anastomosis and blind loop syndrome, and • Certain neuropathies: posterolateral sclerosis, other neuropathies associated with pernicious anemia, during the acute phase or acute exacerbation of aneuropathy due to malnutrition and alcoholism.
For a patient with pernicious anemia caused by a B-12 deficiency, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection of vitamin B-12 at a dose of from 100 to 1000 micrograms no more frequently than once monthly is the accepted reasonable and necessary dosage schedule for maintenance treatment. More frequent injections would be appropriate in the initial or acute phaseof the disease until it has been determined through laboratory tests that the patient can be sustained on a maintenance dose. The excerpt below is from Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 7 - Home Health Services. Section 40.1.2.4 -Administration of Medications(Rev. 1, 10-01-03)A3-3118.1.B.4, HHA-205.1.B.4 (page 48): Vitamin B-12 injections are considered specific therapy only for the following conditions: Specified anemias: pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemias, macrocytic anemias, fish tapeworm anemia; Specified gastrointestinal disorders: gastrectomy, malabsorption syndromes such as sprue and idiopathic steatorrhea, surgical and mechanical disorders such as resection of the small intestine, strictures, anastomosis and blind loop syndrome, and