ICD-10 codes for depression
Depression coding hinges on two documented dimensions: episode (single vs recurrent) and severity. Unspecified codes are valid but under-document the encounter — severity-specific codes tell the clinical story and support medical necessity.
Depression ICD-10 codes
Start with the primary code, then move to a more specific related code when the documentation supports it.
F32.9 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified | ICD-10-CM |
F32.A | Depression, unspecified For "depression NOS" without MDD documentation | ICD-10-CM |
F32.0 | MDD, single episode, mild | ICD-10-CM |
F32.1 | MDD, single episode, moderate | ICD-10-CM |
F32.2 | MDD, single episode, severe without psychotic features | ICD-10-CM |
F33.1 | MDD, recurrent, moderate | ICD-10-CM |
F33.2 | MDD, recurrent, severe without psychotic features | ICD-10-CM |
F43.21 | Adjustment disorder with depressed mood | ICD-10-CM |
Document and code episode plus severity: a first moderate episode is F32.1; a recurrent moderate episode is F33.1. Reserve F32.A for depression documented without meeting MDD criteria, and F43.21 when low mood is a reaction to an identifiable stressor. PHQ-9 scores in the note make severity selection defensible.
“Second depressive episode this year. PHQ-9 today 16 (moderately severe). Low mood, anhedonia, early-morning waking, impaired concentration at work. No suicidal ideation on direct questioning. Restarted sertraline 50 mg; CBT referral.”
Paste a note or record audio. Notat’s FactsContext™ engine extracts the raw clinical facts first, then suggests codes from that context so you can inspect the evidence before using anything.
Exemples
Note clinique
Modifiez l'exemple ou collez votre propre note.
Système de codage
Codes extraits
Les preuves restent attachées pour examen.
3
I10ICD-10-CM
Essential (primary) hypertension
Preuve: “Chief Complaint Elevated and fluctuating blood pressure readings.”
E78.5ICD-10-CM
Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
Preuve: “2. Hyperlipidemia. Clinically stable on atorvastatin.”
M19.90ICD-10-CM
Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site
Preuve: “3. Osteoarthritis. Symptoms stable. Continue conservative management with acetaminophen as needed.”
FactsContext extracts clinical facts first: diagnoses, symptoms, negatives, findings, test results, medications, and plan decisions.
The clinician can read and reuse the extracted medical context directly, independent of the generated note.
AI suggestions are not a substitute for clinician judgment, payer rules, local coding policy, or the official code set.
FAQ
F32.9 or F32.A — which unspecified code?
F32.9 is unspecified major depressive disorder (MDD criteria documented, severity not stated). F32.A is depression NOS — the word "depression" without documented MDD criteria.
When does depression become "recurrent" (F33.-)?
After at least one prior documented depressive episode with a period of remission between episodes.
Can AI suggest severity-specific depression codes?
Yes — Notat extracts symptoms, screening scores, and episode history as clinical facts and proposes severity-specific codes with the supporting evidence for your review.