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ICD-10 Coding for Anorexia(F50.01, F50.02)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Anorexia. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Anorexia NervosaEating Disorder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Anorexia

F50.0-F50.9Primary Range

Eating disorders

This range includes all eating disorders, with specific codes for anorexia nervosa and its subtypes.

Anorexia

Used for unexplained appetite loss without psychological components.

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI codes are required as ancillary codes when documenting anorexia nervosa.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F50.01Anorexia nervosa, restricting typeUse when the patient exhibits restrictive eating behaviors without binge-eating or purging.
  • BMI ≤17.5
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Restrictive eating behaviors
F50.02Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging typeUse when the patient exhibits binge-eating or purging behaviors despite being underweight.
  • BMI ≤17.5
  • Binge-eating or purging behaviors
  • Intense fear of gaining weight

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for anorexia

Essential facts and insights about Anorexia

The ICD-10 code for anorexia nervosa is F50.01 for restricting type and F50.02 for binge-eating/purging type.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for anorexia

Anorexia nervosa, restricting type
Non-billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of restrictive eating behaviors and fear of weight gain

Applicable To

  • Restricting type anorexia nervosa

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • BMI ≤17.5
  • Intense fear of gaining weight
  • Restrictive eating behaviors

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if binge/purge behaviors are present

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the subtype and severity of anorexia nervosa.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Body mass index (BMI)

Z68.-
Document BMI when coding anorexia nervosa.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Anorexia

R63.0
Use R63.0 when anorexia is due to non-psychological causes.

Bulimia nervosa

F50.2
Use F50.2 when the patient is not underweight and exhibits binge/purge behaviors.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Anorexia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F50.01.

Impact

Clinical: Inaccurate assessment of nutritional status., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document BMI when diagnosing anorexia nervosa.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Misclassification can result in compliance issues., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of health data records.

Mitigation Strategy

Always use F50.01 or F50.02 if psychological criteria are met.

Impact

Failure to document severity can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement templates that prompt for severity documentation.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Anorexia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Anorexia

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Anorexia. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • BMI measurement
  • Eating behavior description
  • Psychological assessment

Example Documentation

Patient presents with BMI 16.2, restricts intake to 800 kcal/day, expresses intense fear of weight gain.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient with low weight and eating issues.
Good Documentation Example
16F with BMI 15.8, restricts to 500 kcal/day, fears weight gain, amenorrhea for 6 months.
Explanation
The good example includes specific behaviors, BMI, and psychological components.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Anorexia? Ask your questions below.

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