2025 ICD-10-CM code F98.5
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Mental, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Other behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence Chapter V: Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders Feed
Adult-onset fluency disorder (stuttering in adults) is a communication disorder characterized by the repetition of initial sounds or words.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances of service delivery and payer requirements. Consult payer guidelines for clarification.
Medical necessity for treatment of adult-onset fluency disorder is established based on the severity of the disorder and its impact on the patient's communication and daily life. Documentation should demonstrate the need for intervention to improve communication skills, reduce anxiety, and enhance social participation.Severity of speech impediment and limitations of social participation should be clear.
Diagnosis and treatment of adult-onset fluency disorder involves collaboration between a physician, a speech-language pathologist, and potentially a mental health professional (for CBT). The physician plays a key role in ruling out organic causes, monitoring the patient's overall health, and coordinating care with other specialists. The speech-language pathologist assesses the severity of the fluency disorder, develops and implements a speech therapy plan, and monitors progress. A mental health professional may be involved in treating underlying anxiety or other mental health conditions that may be contributing to or worsening the fluency disorder.
- Chapter V: Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders
- F90-F98 (Behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence)
In simple words: Adult-onset fluency disorder, or stuttering in adults, is a problem with speaking clearly.People with this disorder might repeat sounds or words. It can happen for unknown reasons and sometimes is related to mental or emotional issues. Doctors diagnose it by talking to the person, checking for physical problems, and testing speech. Treatment might include speech therapy or talking to a therapist.
Adult-onset fluency disorder, also known as stuttering in adults, is a communication disorder where individuals repeat initial sounds, words, or phrases.This disorder often lacks a clear cause and may be considered psychogenic. Symptoms include repetition of sounds, words, and phrases; anxiety about speaking due to fear of teasing, low self-esteem, and social isolation; and potential tremors of the lips or jaw.Diagnosis involves reviewing patient history, signs and symptoms, physical examination, a speech-language pathologist's evaluation, and comparison to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria. Neuroimaging and blood tests may be used to rule out physiological causes. Treatment depends on severity; mild cases may not require treatment, while severe cases may benefit from speech therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Example 1: A 35-year-old patient presents with a recent onset of stuttering, with no prior history of speech difficulties or neurological events.The physician orders a complete neurological evaluation to rule out underlying conditions. The patient is then referred to a speech-language pathologist for speech therapy and CBT., A 42-year-old patient experiencing increased anxiety and social isolation due to long-standing stuttering is referred to a combined treatment plan involving both a speech therapist and a therapist specializing in anxiety management. The physician reviews the plan and assesses the patient's overall wellbeing., A 50-year-old patient presents with stuttering after a recent stroke. The physician uses I69.023 to code the stroke and F98.5 to code the adult-onset fluency disorder secondary to the stroke. The patient receives both neurological rehabilitation and speech therapy.
Detailed patient history including age of onset and any neurological events; results of physical and neurological examinations; speech-language pathology assessment including severity rating and treatment plan; if applicable, results of neuroimaging or blood tests; and documentation of any CBT or other therapeutic interventions.
** Accurate coding requires careful consideration of onset age, presence of any underlying neurological or psychological conditions, and the impact of the fluency disorder on the patient's communication and quality of life.Collaboration with other healthcare professionals is crucial for comprehensive care and accurate coding.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable. This ICD-10 code does not involve technical components.
- Specialties:Speech-Language Pathology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital,Telehealth