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.
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I10ICD-10-CM
Essential (primary) hypertension
Evidenza: “Chief Complaint Elevated and fluctuating blood pressure readings.”
E78.5ICD-10-CM
Hyperlipidemia, unspecified
Evidenza: “2. Hyperlipidemia. Clinically stable on atorvastatin.”
M19.90ICD-10-CM
Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site
Evidenza: “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.