Depression, unspecified vs. major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
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Guidance for clinical documentation and ICD-10-CM coding to distinguish Depression, unspecified (F32.A) from Major Depressive Disorder, single episode (various F32.x codes); intended for providers and coding staff working with Independence Administrators/Independence Blue Cross products.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Documentation-to-Coding Criteria
Documentation-to-coding criteria
Documentation criteria to support coding of major depressive disorder versus Depression, unspecified:
ALL of the following
ALL of the following
- Symptoms present for at least 2 weeks
ALL of the following
- Specify if it is a single episode or a recurrent episode
ALL of the following
- Indicate severity: mild, moderate, severe (with or without psychotic features)
ALL of the following
- Note if the episode is in partial or full remission (partial remission indicates the condition is still being managed and/or treated)
Document to the highest degree of specificity: type and episode. Avoid placing active diagnoses only in past medical history when patient is receiving current treatment.
ICD-10-CM Codes and Related Requirements
| F32.A | Depression, unspecified (created to capture unspecified depression) |
| F32.0 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild |
| F32.1 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate or other depressive episodes |
| F32.2 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features |
| F32.3 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features / major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified |
| F32.4 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, in partial remission |
| F32.81 | Premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
| F32.89 | Other specified depressive episodes |
| F32.9 | Depression, not otherwise specified (previously used as Depression NOS) |
Documentation Requirements and Action Items for Providers
Document duration, episode, and severity; otherwise code F32.A
Document the duration, episode status, and severity in the medical record to support coding of major depressive disorder. If documentation does not meet the specificity requirements below, assign Depression, unspecified (F32.A).
- Document symptoms present for at least 2 weeks.
- Specify whether the presentation is a single episode or a recurrent episode.
- Indicate severity: mild, moderate, or severe (with or without psychotic features).
- Note remission status (partial or full remission) when applicable.
- Avoid placing an active diagnosis only in past medical history if the patient is receiving current treatment (medication or counseling).
Key Definitions
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