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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAlcohol Use

Alcohol Use

ICD-10 Coding for Alcohol Use Disorder(F10.10, F10.20)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPrimary Care
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Alcohol Use?
Essential facts and insights about Alcohol Use Disorder

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • A pattern of alcohol use leading to significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least two of the following occurring within a 12-month period: tolerance, withdrawal, drinking more than intended, unsuccessful efforts to cut down, a great deal of time spent in activities to obtain alcohol, social or interpersonal problems exacerbated by alcohol use, and important activities given up due to alcohol use.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated liver enzymes (e.g., AST, ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) levels.
  • Physical examination findings may include signs of liver disease (e.g., jaundice, ascites), neurological impairment, or signs of withdrawal (e.g., tremors, sweating).
  • Imaging findings may include liver ultrasound showing fatty liver or cirrhosis.
  • Severity criteria include mild (2-3 criteria met), moderate (4-5 criteria met), and severe (6 or more criteria met) alcohol use disorder.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Documentation must include a comprehensive assessment of the patient's alcohol use history, including frequency, quantity, and context of use.
  • Specific terminology such as 'alcohol use disorder', 'alcohol dependence', or 'alcohol abuse' must be used accurately.
  • Examples include documenting the patient's reported symptoms, results of screening tools (e.g., AUDIT), and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
  • Medical necessity documentation should justify the need for treatment based on the severity of the disorder and its impact on the patient's health.
  • Quality measures may require documentation of screening results, treatment plans, and follow-up care.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use F10.10 for mild alcohol use disorder without withdrawal and F10.20 for moderate to severe alcohol use disorder with withdrawal symptoms.
  • Do not use these codes for patients with alcohol intoxication (F10.129) or alcohol-induced disorders (F10.9).
  • Related codes include F10.21 (alcohol use disorder with withdrawal) and F10.29 (other alcohol-related disorders).
  • Common coding errors include misclassifying the severity of the disorder or failing to document withdrawal symptoms when applicable.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's full clinical picture, including any co-occurring substance use disorders.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Conditions explicitly excluded include alcohol intoxication (F10.129) and alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (F10.151).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include F10.120 for alcohol use disorder with intoxication.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the patient's clinical status and treatment needs.
  • Common exclusion mistakes include misclassifying acute intoxication as a chronic disorder.
  • Related but distinct conditions include substance use disorders related to other drugs (e.g., opioids, stimulants).

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
F10.10
Alcohol use disorder, mild
F10.20
Alcohol use disorder, moderate to severe
Differential Codes
F10.20
F10.20
if the patient meets criteria for dependence, such as withdrawal symptoms.
F10.10
F10.10
if the patient does not meet dependence criteria.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Primary Care

Specialty Applications

  • This applies to individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, including those with a history of alcohol dependence.
  • Patient populations include adults and adolescents, with risk factors such as family history of alcohol use disorder, mental health issues, and social stressors.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient clinics, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and emergency departments.
  • Specialty-specific applications may involve addiction medicine, psychiatry, and primary care.
  • Treatment contexts include detoxification, counseling, and pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with alcohol use disorder based on clinical findings including tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with alcohol use disorder including increased consumption and unsuccessful attempts to cut down.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder met as evidenced by documented withdrawal symptoms and social impairment.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for alcohol use disorder with counseling and pharmacotherapy.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for alcohol use disorder including monitoring of liver function tests and counseling sessions.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Detailed documentation should include the patient's alcohol use history, screening results, and any co-occurring conditions.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Alcohol use disorder is characterized by a pattern of use leading to significant impairment, while alcohol intoxication is an acute state.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is supported by thorough documentation to optimize reimbursement and avoid claim denials.

What procedures are typically associated?

Related CPT codes may include those for alcohol screening (e.g., 99408) and counseling (e.g., 99406).

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include screening rates, treatment initiation, and follow-up care documentation.