ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD 10 CodesDiagnoses
ICD-10 Logo
ICDxICD-10 Medical Coding

Comprehensive ICD-10-CM code reference with AI-powered search capabilities.

© 2025 ICD Code Compass. All rights reserved.

Browse

  • All Chapters
  • All Categories
  • Diagnoses

Tools

  • AI Code Search
ICD-10-CM codes are maintained by the CDC and CMS. This tool is for reference purposes only.
v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAnxiety Attack

Anxiety Attack

ICD-10 Coding for Anxiety Attack(F41.0, F41.1, F41.9)

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

Diagnosis Overview

What is Anxiety Attack?
Essential facts and insights about Anxiety Attack

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Recurrent unexpected panic attacks characterized by a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes.
  • Symptoms during an attack may include palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, chills, or hot flashes.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of hyperventilation or tachycardia.
  • No specific imaging or laboratory tests are required for diagnosis; however, tests may be performed to rule out other conditions.
  • Severity is assessed based on the frequency of panic attacks and the degree of impairment in daily functioning.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Document the frequency and duration of panic attacks, as well as the specific symptoms experienced.
  • Use precise terminology such as 'panic attack' or 'panic disorder' to ensure clarity.
  • Examples include: 'Patient experienced three panic attacks in the past month, characterized by chest pain and shortness of breath.'
  • Medical necessity must be established, indicating the need for treatment based on the severity of symptoms.
  • Quality measures may include tracking the impact of treatment on the frequency of panic attacks.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use F41.0 for panic disorder without agoraphobia when panic attacks occur without fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult.
  • Do not use this code for anxiety disorders due to a medical condition or substance use; use appropriate codes for those conditions.
  • F41.1 is used for panic disorder with agoraphobia, where the patient avoids situations due to fear of panic attacks.
  • Common errors include misclassifying panic attacks as generalized anxiety disorder; ensure the specific nature of the attacks is documented.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's history and any co-occurring anxiety disorders to select the most accurate code.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Exclude panic attacks due to substance use or withdrawal; use appropriate substance-related codes.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include F10-F19 for substance-related disorders.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the primary diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis.
  • Common mistakes include failing to document the context of panic attacks, leading to incorrect coding.
  • Related but distinct conditions include specific phobias (F40) and generalized anxiety disorder (F41.1).

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
F41.0
Panic disorder without agoraphobia
F41.1
Panic disorder with agoraphobia
Ancillary Codes
Z91.14
Z55-Z65
Differential Codes
F41.1
F41.0

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Specialty Applications

  • Applies to individuals experiencing recurrent panic attacks, often in the context of anxiety disorders.
  • Patient populations include adults and adolescents, with a higher prevalence in females.
  • Clinical settings include emergency departments for acute panic attacks and outpatient settings for ongoing management.
  • Specialty-specific applications may include psychiatry and psychology for therapeutic interventions.
  • Treatment contexts include both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches.

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 panic disorder based on recurrent panic attacks and associated symptoms.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with panic disorder including episodes of intense fear and physical symptoms.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria for panic disorder met as evidenced by recurrent panic attacks and avoidance behavior.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for panic disorder with cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for panic disorder including monitoring of symptom frequency and treatment response.'

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?

Documentation should include the frequency and nature of panic attacks, associated symptoms, and impact on daily life.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, while generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent anxiety without discrete panic episodes.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly documented to support medical necessity for treatment and reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

CPT codes for psychotherapy and medication management may be relevant for treatment.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking symptom improvement and treatment adherence.