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ICD-10 Coding for Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety(F43.23)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety

F43.2Primary Range

Adjustment disorders

This range includes all adjustment disorders, with F43.23 specifically for mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety

Essential facts and insights about Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety

The ICD-10 code for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is F43.23.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety

Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Symptoms must be linked to an identifiable stressor and onset within 1 month.

coding Criteria

  • Avoid using unspecified codes when mixed symptoms are documented.

documentation Criteria

  • Document specific stressor and symptom impact on daily functioning.

Applicable To

  • Symptoms of both anxiety and depression linked to a specific stressor

Excludes

  • Major depressive disorder (F32.x)
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (F41.1)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Symptoms onset within 1 month of identifiable stressor
  • ADNM-8 score ≥23.2
  • PHQ-9 ≥10 and GAD-7 ≥8

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly using F43.20 (unspecified) when mixed symptoms are documented

Coding Notes

  • Always sequence F43.23 first, followed by the appropriate Z code for the stressor.

Ancillary Codes

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

Other specified problems related to psychosocial circumstances

Z65.8
Use to specify the stressor, such as job loss or divorce.

Differential Codes

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

Generalized anxiety disorder

F41.1
Use F41.1 if anxiety persists beyond 6 months or lacks a clear stressor link.

Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild

F32.0
Use F32.0 if depressive symptoms are predominant and not linked to a specific stressor.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F43.23.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment planning., Regulatory: Non-compliance with ICD-10 documentation standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Always ask about recent life changes or stressors., Include stressor details in the clinical notes.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to reduced reimbursement rates., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 guidelines., Data Quality: Decreases accuracy of patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies both anxiety and depressive symptoms to use F43.23.

Impact

Failure to document stressors can lead to audit flags.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checklist for stressor documentation in patient evaluations.

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 Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Initial psychiatric evaluation for adjustment disorder

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • Stressor identification
  • Symptom description
  • Functional impact
  • Assessment scores

Example Documentation

**Stressors**: Job loss (2/15/2025), marital conflict **Symptoms**: Anxiety: Panic attacks 3x/week, excessive worry about finances **Functional Impact**: Missed 8 work days in March 2025 **Rule-Out**: No suicidal ideation; DSM-5 criteria for MDD not met (duration <6mo)

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient anxious and depressed.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports daily tearfulness, insomnia, and panic attacks since job loss (Z65.8). Symptoms began 3 weeks post-termination. PHQ-9=18, GAD-7=15. Work attendance dropped from 100% to 60%.
Explanation
The good example provides specific stressor, symptom details, and functional impact, meeting documentation requirements.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Anxiety? Ask your questions below.

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