2025 ICD-10-CM code F39

Unspecified mood (affective) disorder.A mental disorder characterized by varying degrees of depression, anxiety, or mania, sometimes with psychotic symptoms, where the specific type is not documented.

Use F39 when the provider has not yet specified the type of mood (affective) disorder. Once a definitive diagnosis is established, the appropriate, more specific code should be used instead.

Medical necessity for the use of F39 must be supported by documentation demonstrating the presence of a mood disorder that significantly impacts the patient's functioning and requires medical intervention. The documentation should justify the need for treatment and explain why a more specific diagnosis cannot yet be determined.

Diagnosis and treatment of unspecified mood (affective) disorders are the responsibility of mental health professionals.They conduct assessments based on DSM criteria, medical history, signs, symptoms, and patient behavior, to determine the most appropriate course of action. Treatment may include medication (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, sleep aids), psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.), and in severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or other brain stimulation therapies.

In simple words: This code is used when someone has a mood disorder like depression, anxiety, or mania, but the doctor hasn't specified what exact type it is.It could involve sadness, worry, excessive energy, or even hallucinations and delusions, but more information is needed for a precise diagnosis.

Unspecified mood (affective) disorder is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of varying degrees of depression, anxiety, or mania (elevated mood with hyperactivity), and sometimes associated with psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). The specific type of mood (affective) disorder is not documented by the provider.

Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms of depression, including sadness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. The provider is unable to determine if this is major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or another mood disorder, so F39 is used until a more specific diagnosis can be made., A patient experiences alternating periods of high energy and activity followed by periods of low mood and lack of motivation. Without further information to distinguish between bipolar disorder and cyclothymic disorder, F39 is applied., An individual displays signs of anxiety, such as excessive worry and restlessness, but the provider has not yet determined if it meets the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, another anxiety disorder, or a mood disorder with anxious features. F39 is used temporarily.

Documentation should include the type of mood disturbance (e.g., depressed mood, elevated mood, anxiety), the severity of symptoms, any complications or comorbidities, and the current remission status. Details about the patient's personal and social behavior, medical history, and physical examination findings are essential for accurate coding.

  • Specialties:Psychiatry, Psychology, Behavioral Health
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office, Psychiatric Facility-Partial Hospitalization, Community Mental Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Center,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home
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