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ICD-10 Coding for Social Phobia(F40.10, F40.11)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Social Phobia. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Social Anxiety DisorderSocial Phobia Disorder

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Social Phobia

F40.10-F40.11Primary Range

ICD-10 codes for Social Phobia

These codes are used to classify social phobia based on the specificity of the fear and its impact on social interactions.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F40.10Social Phobia, UnspecifiedUse when the fear is limited to specific situations like public speaking.
  • Fear limited to specific performance situations
  • No avoidance of casual social interactions
F40.11Social Phobia, GeneralizedUse when the fear is generalized across multiple social contexts.
  • Generalized fear in three or more social contexts
  • Avoidance impacts activities of daily living

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 social phobia

Essential facts and insights about Social Phobia

The ICD-10 code for social phobia is F40.10 for unspecified cases and F40.11 for generalized cases.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for social phobia

Social Phobia, Unspecified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Fear is limited to specific performance situations.

Applicable To

  • Non-generalized social anxiety

Excludes

  • Generalized social phobia (F40.11)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Fear limited to specific performance situations
  • No avoidance of casual social interactions

Code-Specific Risks

  • Overuse of unspecified codes may lead to audits.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the limited scope of social fear.

Ancillary Codes

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

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

F41.1
Use when there is a comorbid generalized anxiety disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder, Unspecified

F32.9
Use when there is a comorbid depressive disorder.

Differential Codes

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

Social Phobia, Generalized

F40.11
Use F40.11 when fear is generalized across multiple social contexts.

Social Phobia, Unspecified

F40.10
Use F40.10 when fear is limited to specific situations.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Social Phobia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F40.10.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment plans., Regulatory: Increases risk of audits and compliance issues., Financial: May result in denied claims or reduced reimbursement.

Mitigation Strategy

Use structured templates to capture all necessary details., Train staff on the importance of detailed documentation.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to lower reimbursement rates., Compliance: May trigger audits due to incorrect use of unspecified codes., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of clinical data and patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies generalized fear across multiple contexts for F40.11.

Impact

High risk of audits when using unspecified codes without supporting documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation clearly supports the specificity of the code used.

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 Social Phobia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Social Phobia

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Social Phobia. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Generalized Social Phobia

Specialty: Psychiatry

Required Elements

  • Specific social contexts affected
  • Duration and impact on daily life
  • Physical symptoms observed

Example Documentation

Patient avoids work meetings, family gatherings, and doctor appointments due to fear of humiliation.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient is anxious in social settings.
Good Documentation Example
Patient reports persistent fear of humiliation in meetings, parties, and casual conversations, leading to avoidance of all group activities for 8 months.
Explanation
The good example provides specific contexts and duration, supporting the use of F40.11.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Social Phobia? Ask your questions below.

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