2025 ICD-10-CM code F99
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Mental, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental disorders - Unspecified mental disorder Chapter V: Mental and behavioural disorders Feed
Mental disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS). This code is used when a mental disorder is present but doesn't meet criteria for other, more specific diagnoses.
Medical necessity for the diagnosis and management of an unspecified mental disorder is established by the presence of clinically significant symptoms that cause distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The decision to assign this code is made after careful clinical judgement, ensuring that the symptoms warrant further investigation.
The clinical responsibility for diagnosing and managing a patient with an unspecified mental disorder includes conducting a thorough psychiatric evaluation, including a detailed history, mental status examination, and possibly psychological testing.This assessment aims to identify the nature and severity of the symptoms, rule out other potential diagnoses, and establish a treatment plan.This plan may involve psychotherapy, medication management, or a combination of both, depending on the individual's needs.
- Chapter V: Mental and behavioural disorders
- F99 is within the broader category of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
In simple words: This code means the doctor has found signs of a mental health problem, but it's not clear enough to give a specific name to the condition yet. More tests might be needed to find out exactly what is wrong.
F99, Unspecified mental disorder, is an ICD-10-CM code used when a patient presents with symptoms indicative of a mental disorder, but these symptoms do not meet the specific diagnostic criteria for any other, more specific mental disorder listed in the ICD-10-CM classification.The diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation, including patient history, clinical presentation, and exclusion of other potential causes. This code encompasses a broad range of mental health conditions that haven't been definitively categorized.It's crucial to document the specific symptoms observed to support the clinical decision-making process and ensure appropriate treatment planning.The use of this code should be considered a temporary placeholder until a more precise diagnosis can be made through further assessment.
Example 1: A patient presents with persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and difficulty sleeping, but the symptoms do not fully meet the criteria for major depressive disorder.F99 is temporarily assigned pending further evaluation., A patient reports experiencing excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of their life for several months, but the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. F99 is used while ongoing assessment is performed., A patient exhibits unusual changes in behavior and thought patterns, but these changes do not fit neatly into any specific psychotic disorder. This code is used until more comprehensive information becomes available for a precise diagnosis.
Comprehensive documentation should include: detailed patient history covering symptoms, duration, impact on daily life, social/occupational functioning, family history of mental illness, any relevant physical or medical conditions; results of psychiatric examination, including mental status examination and any psychological testing performed; any other relevant diagnostic information such as laboratory test results; and treatment plan.
** This code should be used cautiously and only when a more specific diagnosis cannot be established.Continuous assessment is crucial for patients with unspecified mental disorders to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Psychiatry, Psychology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Emergency Room, Other