Reviewed July 1, 2026

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.

F32.9 billable
F32.A billable

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.

F33.1

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.

Exemplos

Nota clínica

Edite o exemplo ou cole sua própria nota.

Sistema de codificação

ICD-10-CM

Códigos extraídos

As evidências permanecem anexadas para revisão.

Códigos

3

I10

ICD-10-CM

Essential (primary) hypertension

Evidência: “Chief Complaint Elevated and fluctuating blood pressure readings.

E78.5

ICD-10-CM

Hyperlipidemia, unspecified

Evidência: “2. Hyperlipidemia. Clinically stable on atorvastatin.

M19.90

ICD-10-CM

Unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site

Evidência: “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.