ICD-10 Coding for Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent(F33.0, F33.1, F33.2, F33.3, F33.41, F33.9)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent
F33.0-F33.9Primary Range
Major depressive disorder, recurrent
This range covers all recurrent episodes of major depressive disorder, categorized by severity and presence of psychotic features.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F33.0 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild | Use when the patient has mild recurrent depressive episodes with minimal functional impairment. |
|
| F33.1 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate | Use when the patient has moderate recurrent depressive episodes with noticeable functional impairment. |
|
| F33.2 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features | Use when the patient has severe recurrent depressive episodes without psychotic features. |
|
| F33.3 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic features | Use when the patient has severe recurrent depressive episodes with psychotic features. |
|
| F33.41 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission | Use when the patient is in partial remission from recurrent depressive episodes. |
|
| F33.9 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified | Use when the specifics of the recurrent episode are not yet clear. |
|
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
Essential facts and insights about Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for major depressive disorder recurrent
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- PHQ-9 score between 5-9 with mild symptoms
Applicable To
- Mild recurrent major depression
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- PHQ-9 score between 5-9
- Mild symptoms with intact functionality
Code-Specific Risks
- Under-coding severity if symptoms worsen
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent' and 'mild'.
F33.1 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
Use when the patient has moderate recurrent depressive episodes with noticeable functional impairment.
Applicable To
- Moderate recurrent major depression
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- PHQ-9 score between 10-14
- Moderate difficulty maintaining work relationships
Coding Notes
Document 'recurrent' and 'moderate' clearly.
F33.2 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features
Use when the patient has severe recurrent depressive episodes without psychotic features.
Applicable To
- Severe recurrent major depression without psychosis
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- PHQ-9 score ≥15
- Inability to work due to symptoms
Coding Notes
Document severity and absence of psychotic features.
F33.3 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic features
Use when the patient has severe recurrent depressive episodes with psychotic features.
Applicable To
- Severe recurrent major depression with psychosis
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- PHQ-9 score ≥15
- Presence of hallucinations or delusions
Coding Notes
Document severity and presence of psychotic features.
F33.41 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission
Use when the patient is in partial remission from recurrent depressive episodes.
Applicable To
- Recurrent major depression in partial remission
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- 50% symptom reduction
- Improvement in sleep or appetite
Coding Notes
Document partial remission status clearly.
F33.9 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified
Use when the specifics of the recurrent episode are not yet clear.
Applicable To
- Unspecified recurrent major depression
Excludes
- Single episode major depression
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Initial diagnosis pending further evaluation
Coding Notes
Use sparingly; specify details as soon as possible.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
F32.1Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features
F32.2Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features
F32.3Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F33.0.
Impact
Clinical: May affect treatment decisions., Regulatory: Could lead to audit discrepancies., Financial: Potential for incorrect billing.
Mitigation Strategy
Regularly review and update patient status, Use structured templates for documentation
Impact
Reimbursement: May lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Could result in compliance issues during audits., Data Quality: Reduces the accuracy of patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation captures episode type, severity, and remission status.
Impact
Incorrect coding of severity can lead to audit issues.
Mitigation Strategy
Use standardized tools like PHQ-9 to assess severity.
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, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Major Depressive Disorder Recurrent. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Recurrent MDD with moderate severity
Specialty: PsychiatryRequired Elements
- Episode type
- Severity level
- Functional impact
- Treatment plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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