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ICD-10 Coding for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks(F41.1, F41.0)

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

Also known as:

GAD with Panic AttacksAnxiety Disorder with Panic Episodes

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks

F40-F48Primary Range

Anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders

This range includes codes for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F41.1Generalized anxiety disorderUse when the primary condition is generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks occurring in the context of GAD-related worries.
  • Excessive worry for more days than not for at least 6 months
  • Presence of at least 3 physical symptoms (e.g., muscle tension, insomnia)
F41.0Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]Use when panic attacks are the primary concern and are not associated with GAD-related worries.
  • Recurrent unexpected panic attacks
  • At least 1 month of persistent concern about additional attacks

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 generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks

Essential facts and insights about Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks

The ICD-10 code for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks is F41.1, used when panic attacks occur in the context of GAD-related worries.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks

Generalized anxiety disorder
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Presence of excessive worry for more than 6 months with physical symptoms.

coding Criteria

  • Panic attacks occur in the context of GAD-related worries.

Applicable To

  • Anxiety disorder, generalized

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Excessive worry for more days than not for at least 6 months
  • Presence of at least 3 physical symptoms (e.g., muscle tension, insomnia)

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as unspecified anxiety disorder (F41.9) when criteria for GAD are met.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the duration and context of anxiety and panic symptoms.

Differential Codes

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

Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]

F41.0
Use F41.0 when panic attacks are recurrent and unexpected, not tied to GAD worries.

Generalized anxiety disorder

F41.1
Use F41.1 when panic attacks occur in the context of GAD-related worries.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F41.1.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Increases risk of non-compliance with coding standards., Financial: Potential for denied claims or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates for documentation., Include specific symptom descriptions and durations.

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: Increases risk of audit failure., Data Quality: Leads to inaccurate clinical data reporting.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation supports the specific diagnosis of GAD or panic disorder.

Impact

Using unspecified codes when specific criteria are met.

Mitigation Strategy

Regular training on ICD-10 criteria for anxiety disorders.

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 Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks

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

Outpatient assessment for GAD with panic attacks

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Symptom duration
  • Physical examination findings
  • GAD-7 score

Example Documentation

Assessment: 1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1): Excessive worry about work deadlines and parent's health × 9 months. GAD-7 score 14/21 (moderate). Associated symptoms: Muscle tension (observed), insomnia (4 hrs/night), fatigue.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient anxious with panic episodes.
Good Documentation Example
Persistent worry about job performance and child's safety daily for 8 months, with associated muscle tension, insomnia, and fatigue interfering with work attendance.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details on the duration, context, and impact of symptoms, meeting documentation criteria.

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