2025 ICD-10-CM code F17.210
Uncomplicated nicotine dependence due to cigarette smoking.
Medical necessity for treatment is established by the patient's documented dependence on nicotine, their desire to quit, and the potential health risks associated with continued smoking.
Clinicians diagnose nicotine dependence based on patient history, behavioral assessments, and questionnaires evaluating cigarette use. Treatment often involves nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), counseling, and non-nicotine medications like bupropion and nortriptyline.
- Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99)
- Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)
In simple words: This code indicates a person is addicted to cigarettes but does not experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking.
Nicotine dependence, cigarettes, uncomplicated.This signifies an individual's inability to cease cigarette smoking despite being aware of its detrimental effects, without experiencing physical or mental withdrawal symptoms.
Example 1: A 30-year-old patient reports smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for 10 years and expresses a desire to quit but finds themselves unable to do so. They deny experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting cessation previously., A 50-year-old patient presents for an annual physical. During the social history intake, they admit to smoking two packs a week and acknowledge the health risks but have no intention of quitting at this time. They do not experience any withdrawal symptoms when they occasionally go a day without smoking., A patient is being treated for hypertension.They report smoking a pack of cigarettes daily and are advised to quit due to the negative effects of nicotine on blood pressure. While the patient understands the recommendation, they state they currently have no interest in quitting, and they are noted to not have any withdrawal symptoms when they have gone without cigarettes in the past.
Documentation should include the type of tobacco use (cigarettes), the current severity of nicotine dependence, any complications, and the patient’s remission status, if applicable. Details regarding the patient's smoking history, including frequency and duration, attempts to quit, and any associated health concerns are essential.
- Specialties:Addiction Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Federally Qualified Health Center, Public Health Clinic