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Listing 7.05

Hemolytic anemias, including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and their variants

This listing covers anemias where red blood cells are destroyed too early, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Read the full plain-language explanation

SSA looks for lab proof of the disorder (like a hemoglobin electrophoresis test) plus one of four things: frequent severe pain crises treated with IV or injected narcotics, repeated hospital stays for complications, very low hemoglobin levels measured several times, or beta thalassemia major that needs blood transfusions for life. You only need to meet ONE of the four paths (A, B, C, or D).

Read Listing 7.05 on ssa.gov

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What Listing 7.05 asks for

What SSA looks for — see the 4 items

We will check your records against each of these. Every item comes straight from SSA's own listing.

    • You had at least 6 severe pain crises in one 12-month period, each treated with narcotic pain medicine given by IV or injection (not pills).
    • Each crisis must be at least 30 days apart from the next.
    • This is one of four alternative paths — you only need to meet one of A, B, C, or D.
    Read the original wording

    You had at least 6 severe pain crises in one 12-month period, each treated with narcotic pain medicine given by IV or injection (not pills). Each crisis must be at least 30 days apart from the next. This is one of four alternative paths — you only need to meet one of A, B, C, or D.

    (Listing 7.05, criterion A)

    • You were hospitalized at least 3 times in one 12-month period for complications of your anemia (like acute chest syndrome, stroke, infections, or kidney problems).
    • Each stay must last at least 48 hours (time in the ER or a sickle cell center right before admission counts), and the stays must be at least 30 days apart.
    • The hospitalizations can be for different complications.
    • Only one of paths A–D is needed.
    Read the original wording

    You were hospitalized at least 3 times in one 12-month period for complications of your anemia (like acute chest syndrome, stroke, infections, or kidney problems). Each stay must last at least 48 hours (time in the ER or a sickle cell center right before admission counts), and the stays must be at least 30 days apart. The hospitalizations can be for different complications. Only one of paths A–D is needed.

    (Listing 7.05, criterion B)

    • Blood tests showed your hemoglobin at 7.0 g/dL or lower at least 3 times in one 12-month period, with at least 30 days between each test.
    • The tests can be done while you are having symptoms or complications — SSA does not require you to be symptom-free when measured.
    • Only one of paths A–D is needed.
    Read the original wording

    Blood tests showed your hemoglobin at 7.0 g/dL or lower at least 3 times in one 12-month period, with at least 30 days between each test. The tests can be done while you are having symptoms or complications — SSA does not require you to be symptom-free when measured. Only one of paths A–D is needed.

    (Listing 7.05, criterion C)

    • You have the most serious form of beta thalassemia (beta thalassemia major) and need red blood cell transfusions at least every 6 weeks, for life, to survive.
    • Note: preventive (prophylactic) transfusions for sickle cell disease do not count under this path, but their effects may be considered under listing 7.18.
    • Only one of paths A–D is needed.
    Read the original wording

    You have the most serious form of beta thalassemia (beta thalassemia major) and need red blood cell transfusions at least every 6 weeks, for life, to survive. Note: preventive (prophylactic) transfusions for sickle cell disease do not count under this path, but their effects may be considered under listing 7.18. Only one of paths A–D is needed.

    (Listing 7.05, criterion D)

How long it must last:

  • The episodic criteria (A, B, C) must occur within a consecutive 12-month period, with events at least 30 days apart; all or part of that period must fall within the period SSA is considering.
  • Criterion D requires life-long transfusion dependence.
  • The general rule that the impairment must last or be expected to last at least 12 months applies.
Read the original wording

The episodic criteria (A, B, C) must occur within a consecutive 12-month period, with events at least 30 days apart; all or part of that period must fall within the period SSA is considering. Criterion D requires life-long transfusion dependence. The general rule that the impairment must last or be expected to last at least 12 months applies.