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ICD-10 Coding for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission(F33.41, F33.42)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

MDD Recurrent in RemissionRecurrent Major Depressive Disorder in Remission

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission

F33.40-F33.42Primary Range

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in remission

This range covers the coding for recurrent major depressive disorder in remission, specifying partial or full remission status.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F33.41Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remissionUse when the patient shows improvement but still has some symptoms.
  • PHQ-9 score between 5 and 9
  • Presence of residual symptoms like fatigue or insomnia
F33.42Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remissionUse when the patient has no symptoms and is in full remission.
  • PHQ-9 score of 4 or less
  • No depressive symptoms for at least two months

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 major depressive disorder recurrent in remission

Essential facts and insights about Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission

The ICD-10 codes for major depressive disorder, recurrent in remission, are F33.41 for partial remission and F33.42 for full remission.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for major depressive disorder recurrent in remission

Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient exhibits partial symptom improvement with PHQ-9 score indicating mild depression.

Applicable To

  • Recurrent major depressive disorder with partial remission

Excludes

  • Single episode of major depressive disorder (F32.x)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • PHQ-9 score between 5 and 9
  • Presence of residual symptoms like fatigue or insomnia

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if remission status is not clearly documented.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies 'partial remission' to avoid defaulting to unspecified codes.

Ancillary Codes

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

Long-term use of antidepressants

Z79.899
Use when the patient is on maintenance therapy during remission.

Differential Codes

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

Dysthymia

F34.1
Dysthymia is characterized by chronic low-grade depression, not discrete episodes.

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

F43.21
Adjustment disorder is a response to a specific stressor, not a recurrent depressive episode.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F33.41.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates for documentation., Regular training on coding updates.

Impact

Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of health records.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation clearly states 'partial' or 'full' remission.

Impact

Inadequate documentation of remission status.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement structured documentation templates.

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 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Patient in full remission on maintenance therapy

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • PHQ-9 score
  • Duration of remission
  • Medication details

Example Documentation

Patient with recurrent MDD in full remission for 6 months, PHQ-9 score of 2, maintained on fluoxetine 20mg daily.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Depression better.
Good Documentation Example
Recurrent MDD in full remission (PHQ-9: 2). Last episode ended 3/15/2025. Maintenance dose: escitalopram 10mg.
Explanation
The good example specifies remission status, PHQ-9 score, and medication details, ensuring accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent in Remission? Ask your questions below.

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