Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Sundowning(F05, G30.1)

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

Also known as:

Sundown SyndromeLate-day Confusion

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Sundowning

F00-F99Primary Range

Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders

Includes codes for delirium and dementia, relevant for coding sundowning.

Other degenerative diseases of the nervous system

Includes Alzheimer's disease, often an underlying condition for sundowning.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F05Delirium due to known physiological conditionUse when delirium is directly tied to a known physiological condition such as dementia.
  • Worsening confusion after 3PM
  • Circadian disruption
  • Link to dementia or other physiological condition
G30.1Alzheimer's disease with late onsetUse when Alzheimer's disease is the underlying condition for sundowning.
  • Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
  • Late onset symptoms

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 sundowning

Essential facts and insights about Sundowning

The ICD-10 code for sundowning is F05, used for delirium due to known physiological conditions. Pair with the underlying condition code.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for sundowning

Delirium due to known physiological condition
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of late-day confusion linked to a physiological condition

coding Criteria

  • Sequence underlying condition before F05

Applicable To

  • Sundowning

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Worsening confusion after 3PM
  • Circadian disruption
  • Link to dementia or other physiological condition

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrect sequencing with underlying condition
  • Confusion with R41.0

Coding Notes

  • Ensure the underlying condition is coded first to comply with sequencing rules.

Ancillary Codes

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

Wandering in diseases classified elsewhere

Z91.83
Use when there is documented wandering behavior.

Differential Codes

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

Delirium NOS

R41.0
Use when delirium is not linked to a known physiological condition.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Sundowning to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F05.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific language to describe symptoms, Link symptoms to underlying conditions

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use F05 when sundowning is linked to a known physiological condition.

Impact

Failure to sequence the underlying condition before F05.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure training on proper sequencing rules.

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 Sundowning, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Sundowning

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

Sundowning in Alzheimer's patient

Specialty: Geriatrics

Required Elements

  • Symptom timing
  • Underlying condition
  • Differential diagnosis

Example Documentation

[Date] 17:00 S: "She starts pacing and looking for her mother every night around sunset" - daughter O: - Confusion onset: 18:30 daily - MMSE: 14/30 at 19:00 vs 22/30 at 10:00 - No focal neuro deficits - Urine culture negative A: Sundowning syndrome (F05) - Underlying vascular dementia (I69.31) - R/O delirium: metabolic workup negative P: 1. Increase ambient lighting after 16:00 2. Melatonin 3mg HS

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient agitated in evenings
Good Documentation Example
Patient with vascular dementia (I69.31) exhibits daily pattern of increased confusion beginning at 5PM, requiring redirection every 15-30 minutes until 11PM. Symptoms resolve with morning light exposure. No UTI or metabolic abnormalities detected.
Explanation
The good example provides specific timing, links to an underlying condition, and rules out other causes.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Sundowning? 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