ICD-10 Coding for Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder(F33.0, F33.1, F33.2, F33.3)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder
F33Primary Range
Major depressive disorder, recurrent
This range includes all codes for 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 recurrent mild depressive episodes with minimal functional impairment. |
|
| F33.1 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate | Use when the patient has recurrent moderate depressive episodes with significant functional impairment. |
|
| F33.2 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features | Use when the patient has recurrent severe depressive episodes without psychotic features. |
|
| F33.3 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe with psychotic features | Use when the patient has recurrent severe depressive episodes with psychotic features. |
|
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 recurrent major depressive disorder
Essential facts and insights about Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for recurrent major depressive disorder
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Patient has experienced at least two episodes of mild depression.
Applicable To
- Recurrent mild depressive episodes
Excludes
- Single episode of major depressive disorder (F32.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- At least two prior episodes
- PHQ-9 score between 5-9
- Documentation of mild functional impairment
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if severity is not clearly documented
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent' and 'mild' to avoid defaulting to unspecified codes.
F33.1 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
Use when the patient has recurrent moderate depressive episodes with significant functional impairment.
Applicable To
- Recurrent moderate depressive episodes
Excludes
- Single episode of major depressive disorder (F32.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- At least two prior episodes
- PHQ-9 score between 10-14
- Documentation of moderate functional impairment
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent' and 'moderate' to avoid defaulting to unspecified codes.
F33.2 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features
Use when the patient has recurrent severe depressive episodes without psychotic features.
Applicable To
- Recurrent severe depressive episodes without psychosis
Excludes
- Single episode of major depressive disorder (F32.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- At least two prior episodes
- PHQ-9 score between 15-19
- Documentation of severe functional impairment
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent' and 'severe' to avoid defaulting to unspecified codes.
F33.3 - Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe with psychotic features
Use when the patient has recurrent severe depressive episodes with psychotic features.
Applicable To
- Recurrent severe depressive episodes with psychosis
Excludes
- Single episode of major depressive disorder (F32.-)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- At least two prior episodes
- PHQ-9 score ≥ 20
- Documentation of psychotic features
Coding Notes
Ensure documentation specifies 'recurrent', 'severe', and 'with psychotic features' to avoid defaulting to unspecified codes.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Family disruption
Z63.5Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder
F41.8Long-term (current) use of other medications
Z79.899Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
F32.0Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate
F32.1Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder 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 lead to inappropriate treatment decisions., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for incorrect billing and reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Regularly review and update patient records., Ensure documentation reflects current clinical status.
Impact
Reimbursement: Lower reimbursement rates due to unspecified coding., Compliance: Increased risk of audit and compliance issues., Data Quality: Decreased data quality and accuracy in patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation specifies severity and psychotic features to use the most specific code.
Impact
Inadequate documentation of severity can lead to audit failures.
Mitigation Strategy
Use standardized tools like PHQ-9 to document 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 Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Recurrent MDD with psychotic features
Specialty: PsychiatryRequired Elements
- Diagnosis
- Episode History
- PHQ-9 Score
- Core Symptoms
- Functional Impact
- Treatment Plan
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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