ICD-10 Guide

Attention Deficit

ICD-10 Coding for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)(F90.0, F90.9)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYPediatrics

COMPLEXITYHigh

LAST UPDATED09/15/2025

Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Attention Deficit?

Essential facts and insights about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Key Clinical Considerations:

Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity
Behavioral assessments, rating scales (e.g., Conners Scale)
Difficulty focusing, fidgeting, excessive talking

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Patient history, symptom duration, impact on functioning
ICD-10 terminology: F90.0 (ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type)
Examples: 'Patient exhibits symptoms of inattention for over 6 months.'

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Follow guidelines for specific ADHD types to avoid miscoding.
Common errors include using general codes instead of specific ADHD types.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Excludes other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder)
Alternative codes for mood disorders or anxiety disorders

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Pediatrics

Specialty Applications

Children aged 6-18, diverse backgrounds
Pediatric clinics, mental health facilities

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

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

Documentation requirements?

Include detailed history, symptom assessment, and functional impact.

Billing considerations?

Ensure accurate coding to reflect the specific type of ADHD for reimbursement.

Attention Deficit

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?

Attention Deficit

Diagnosis Overview

Key Clinical Considerations:

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Specialty Applications

Coding Complexity

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

Common Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Documentation requirements?

Billing considerations?