Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Functional Neurological Disorder(F44.4, F44.5)

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

Also known as:

Conversion DisorderPsychogenic DisorderFunctional Movement Disorder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Functional Neurological Disorder

F44.4-F44.7Primary Range

Dissociative and conversion disorders

This range includes specific types of functional neurological disorders such as movement and sensory disorders.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F44.4Conversion disorder with motor symptom or deficitUse when there is a documented inconsistency in motor symptoms that do not align with organic disease patterns.
  • Inconsistency between exam findings and organic patterns
  • Video evidence of incongruent movements
F44.5Conversion disorder with seizures or convulsionsUse when seizures are documented without epileptiform activity on EEG.
  • Events lack epileptiform correlate on video-EEG monitoring
  • Preserved awareness during 'unconscious' episodes

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 functional neurological disorder

Essential facts and insights about Functional Neurological Disorder

The ICD-10 code for functional neurological disorder, specifically for conversion disorder with seizures, is F44.5.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for functional neurological disorder

Conversion disorder with motor symptom or deficit
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of motor symptoms that are inconsistent with known neurological patterns.

Applicable To

  • Functional movement disorders
  • Psychogenic tremor

Excludes

  • Organic movement disorders

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Inconsistency between exam findings and organic patterns
  • Video evidence of incongruent movements

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification as an organic disorder
  • Lack of video documentation

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation includes specific motor symptoms and their inconsistency with known neurological diseases.

Ancillary Codes

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

Unspecified convulsions

R56.9
Use when initial presentation is unclear and further diagnostic workup is pending.

Epilepsy, unspecified

G40.909
Use to rule out epilepsy when functional seizures are suspected.

Differential Codes

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

Essential tremor

G25.0
Essential tremor is consistent and not influenced by distraction or suggestion.

Epilepsy, unspecified

G40.909
Epileptic seizures show ictal EEG changes.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Functional Neurological Disorder to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F44.4.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Increases risk of audit failure., Financial: Potential for denied claims due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates for documentation., Include specific clinical findings and diagnostic tests.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in lower reimbursement if not coded correctly., Compliance: Increases risk of audit failure due to incorrect coding., Data Quality: Leads to inaccurate data on seizure prevalence.

Mitigation Strategy

Confirm with video-EEG and document findings to use F44.5 appropriately.

Impact

Coding functional seizures as epilepsy without EEG confirmation.

Mitigation Strategy

Require video-EEG confirmation for all suspected functional seizures.

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 Functional Neurological Disorder, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Functional Neurological Disorder

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

Functional Seizure Documentation

Specialty: Neurology

Required Elements

  • Clinical signs
  • EEG results
  • Differential diagnosis

Example Documentation

ASSESSMENT: Functional neurological disorder (F44.5) - Clinical signs: (+) Hoover sign, (+) tremor entrainment - Diagnostic confirmation: 72-hour video-EEG showing 3 typical events without epileptiform activity - Rule-outs: Normal brain MRI (12/2024), negative serum autoimmune panel

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has non-epileptic spells.
Good Documentation Example
Patient exhibits functional seizures characterized by prolonged thrashing without postictal changes, confirmed by video-EEG.
Explanation
The good example provides specific clinical details and diagnostic confirmation, improving coding accuracy.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Functional Neurological Disorder? Ask your questions below.

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

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more