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ICD-10 Coding for History of Alcohol Abuse(F10.11, Z81.1)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Alcohol Abuse. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Alcohol Use Disorder in RemissionPast Alcohol Abusealcohol abuse remission

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Alcohol Abuse

F10-F19Primary Range

Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use

This range includes codes for disorders related to alcohol use, including remission.

Family and personal history of certain conditions

This range includes codes for family and personal history of mental and behavioral disorders.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F10.11Alcohol abuse, in remissionUse when the patient has a documented history of alcohol abuse and is currently in remission.
  • Provider documentation of 'in remission'
  • DSM-5 criteria for remission
  • Objective findings such as negative alcohol biomarkers
Z81.1Family history of alcohol abuseUse when documenting a family history of alcohol abuse that affects patient management.
  • Documentation of family history impacting patient care

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 history of alcohol abuse

Essential facts and insights about History of Alcohol Abuse

The ICD-10 code for history of alcohol abuse in remission is F10.11, requiring explicit remission documentation.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse, in remission
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Explicit documentation of 'in remission' is required.

Applicable To

  • Alcohol abuse in sustained remission

Excludes

  • Current alcohol abuse (F10.10)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Provider documentation of 'in remission'
  • DSM-5 criteria for remission
  • Objective findings such as negative alcohol biomarkers

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misinterpreting 'history of' as 'in remission'

Coding Notes

  • Ensure remission status is explicitly documented by the provider.

Ancillary Codes

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

Family history of alcohol abuse

Z81.1
Use to indicate family history impacting the patient's condition.

Differential Codes

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

Alcohol abuse, uncomplicated

F10.10
Use F10.10 when the patient is currently abusing alcohol.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Alcohol Abuse to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F10.11.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential claim rejections.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on remission documentation, Use templates to guide documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in claim denial if used as principal diagnosis., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of patient's primary condition.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z81.1 only as a secondary code to indicate family history.

Impact

Lack of explicit remission documentation can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement documentation checks for remission status.

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 History of Alcohol Abuse, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Alcohol Abuse

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Alcohol Abuse. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Primary Care Follow-up

Specialty: Family Medicine

Required Elements

  • Remission status
  • Last alcohol use date
  • Current treatment plan

Example Documentation

Patient reports 3 years of sobriety. No current cravings. Continues monthly counseling.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
History of alcohol abuse.
Good Documentation Example
Patient in sustained remission for 3 years, attending monthly counseling.
Explanation
The good example provides specific remission status and ongoing care details.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Alcohol Abuse? Ask your questions below.

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