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ICD-10 Coding for Auditory Hallucinations(R44.0, F20.0)

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

Also known as:

Hearing VoicesAuditory Perception Disorder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Auditory Hallucinations

R44.0Primary Range

Auditory Hallucinations

Used for isolated auditory hallucinations without a known etiology.

Schizophrenia, Schizotypal, Delusional, and Other Non-Mood Psychotic Disorders

Primary codes for auditory hallucinations when associated with psychotic disorders.

Tinnitus

Used to differentiate non-verbal auditory perceptions such as ringing or buzzing.

Epilepsy and Recurrent Seizures

Used when auditory hallucinations are due to CNS lesions or epilepsy.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R44.0Auditory HallucinationsUse when auditory hallucinations occur without an underlying condition.
  • Patient reports hearing voices without a psychiatric or neurologic diagnosis.
F20.0SchizophreniaUse as primary code when auditory hallucinations are part of schizophrenia.
  • Presence of delusions, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms.

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 auditory hallucinations

Essential facts and insights about Auditory Hallucinations

The ICD-10 code for auditory hallucinations is R44.0, used for isolated cases without a known cause.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for auditory hallucination

Auditory Hallucinations
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Isolated auditory hallucinations without known cause.

coding Criteria

  • No underlying condition identified.

Applicable To

  • Isolated auditory hallucinations

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Patient reports hearing voices without a psychiatric or neurologic diagnosis.

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect use when an underlying condition is present.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure no underlying psychiatric or neurologic condition is present.

Ancillary Codes

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

Interactive Complexity

90785
Use when communication difficulties are present during the session.

Differential Codes

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

Tinnitus

H93.1-
Use for non-verbal sounds like ringing or buzzing.

Auditory Hallucinations

R44.0
Use when hallucinations are isolated without schizophrenia.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Auditory Hallucinations to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R44.0.

Impact

Clinical: Inadequate information for treatment planning., Regulatory: Potential for audit issues., Financial: Risk of claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific patient quotes., Detail the frequency and impact of hallucinations.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of patient condition.

Mitigation Strategy

Code the underlying condition first, such as F20.0 for schizophrenia.

Impact

Lack of specific details can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation includes detailed descriptions and patient quotes.

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 Auditory Hallucinations, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Auditory Hallucinations

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

Psychiatric Evaluation for Auditory Hallucinations

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • Patient's description of hallucinations
  • Frequency and content of hallucinations
  • Impact on daily functioning
  • Associated symptoms

Example Documentation

Patient reports hearing a male voice saying 'You're worthless' multiple times daily, causing significant distress and impacting work performance.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient hears voices.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports hearing a male voice saying 'You're worthless' 5 times daily, causing anxiety (7/10 VAS).
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the hallucinations, including frequency, content, and impact.

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

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

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