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ICD-10 Coding for History of Alcohol Use(F10.11, Z86.59)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Alcohol Use. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Alcohol Use HistoryPast Alcohol Consumption

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Alcohol Use

F10-F19Primary Range

Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use

This range includes codes for disorders related to alcohol use, including abuse, dependence, and remission.

Family and personal history of certain conditions

This range includes codes for personal and family history of alcohol use disorders.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F10.11Alcohol abuse, in remissionUse when the patient has a history of alcohol abuse and is currently in remission.
  • Provider documentation stating 'in remission'
  • No current symptoms of abuse
Z86.59Personal history of other mental and behavioral disordersUse when documenting a past history of alcohol use without current treatment or symptoms.
  • No active treatment or symptoms
  • Historical reference only

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 history of alcohol use

Essential facts and insights about History of Alcohol Use

The ICD-10 code for a history of alcohol use without current symptoms is Z86.59. Use F10.11 for alcohol abuse in remission.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of alcohol use

Alcohol abuse, in remission
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

documentation Criteria

  • Explicit documentation of 'in remission' status

Applicable To

  • Alcohol abuse in sustained remission

Excludes

  • Alcohol dependence in remission (F10.21)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Provider documentation stating 'in remission'
  • No current symptoms of abuse

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification if 'in remission' is not documented

Coding Notes

  • Ensure 'in remission' is clearly documented by the provider.

Differential Codes

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

Alcohol dependence, in remission

F10.21
Use F10.21 if the patient had alcohol dependence rather than abuse.

Alcohol abuse, in remission

F10.11
Use F10.11 if the patient is in remission.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Alcohol Use to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F10.11.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient's current status, Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding standards, Financial: Potential denial of claims

Mitigation Strategy

Review clinical notes for remission documentation, Educate providers on documentation standards

Impact

Reimbursement: Potential for incorrect reimbursement, Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines, Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records

Mitigation Strategy

Use F10.11 or F10.21 if the patient is in remission.

Impact

Lack of explicit remission documentation can lead to audit issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure all clinical notes include remission status where applicable.

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 History of Alcohol Use, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Alcohol Use

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Alcohol Use. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Primary Care Follow-up

Specialty: Family Medicine

Required Elements

  • Patient history of alcohol use
  • Current remission status
  • DSM-5 criteria met

Example Documentation

Patient has a history of alcohol abuse, currently in sustained remission since 2022.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient quit drinking.
Good Documentation Example
Patient meets 6 DSM-5 criteria for severe AUD, in sustained remission since 1/2024.
Explanation
The good example provides specific criteria and remission status, which is necessary for accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Alcohol Use? Ask your questions below.

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