ICD-10 Guide

F39

Billable

Unspecified mood [affective] disorder

Chapter 5:Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders

BILLABLE STATUSYes

IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015

LAST UPDATED09/05/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 F39 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified mood [affective] disorder.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Unspecified mood disorder is a diagnosis used when a patient presents with mood disturbances that do not meet the criteria for any specific mood disorder, such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. This category encompasses a range of mood-related symptoms, including persistent sadness, irritability, or mood swings, which may significantly impact the patient's daily functioning. The unspecified designation is often used when the clinician has not yet determined the specific nature of the mood disorder or when the symptoms are not fully characterized. Patients may experience varying degrees of mood dysregulation, and the lack of specificity can complicate treatment planning. Clinicians may consider factors such as the patient's history, psychosocial stressors, and co-occurring conditions when assessing the mood disorder. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy with mood stabilizers or antidepressants, and regular monitoring for suicide risk, as individuals with mood disorders are at an increased risk for self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

Lack of specificity in symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis.
Differentiating from other mood disorders requires thorough clinical evaluation.
Documentation must clearly reflect the rationale for using an unspecified code.
Potential overlap with other mental health conditions complicates coding.

Audit Risk Factors

Inadequate documentation supporting the unspecified diagnosis.
Failure to assess and document suicide risk.
Lack of follow-up notes indicating treatment response.
Inconsistent coding across multiple encounters.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Psychiatry

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive mental health evaluations, including history of present illness, psychosocial factors, and treatment plans.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with mood symptoms that do not fit neatly into a specific diagnosis, requiring further assessment.

Billing Considerations

Ensure that all relevant symptoms and their impact on functioning are documented to support the unspecified diagnosis.

Primary Care

Documentation Requirements

Detailed patient history, including any previous mental health diagnoses and current medications.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients with mood symptoms who may not have seen a mental health specialist yet.

Billing Considerations

Primary care providers should be vigilant about assessing suicide risk and referring to specialists when necessary.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use F39 When

According to ICD
10 guidelines, F39 is used when the clinician determines that the mood disorder does not fit into a more specific category
It is essential to document the rationale for this choice and any relevant symptoms

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use F39 When

No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

99213CPT Code

Established patient office visit, Level 3

Clinical Scenario

Used for follow-up visits for patients with unspecified mood disorders.

Documentation Requirements

Document the patient's mood symptoms, treatment response, and any changes in risk assessment.

Specialty Considerations

Psychiatrists may require more detailed documentation compared to primary care providers.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of mood disorders, but the use of unspecified codes like F39 remains important for cases where the diagnosis is not fully defined.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of mood disorders, but the use of unspecified codes like F39 remains important for cases where the diagnosis is not fully defined.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of mood disorders, but the use of unspecified codes like F39 remains important for cases where the diagnosis is not fully defined.

Resources

Clinical References

•
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Coding & Billing References

•
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use F39 instead of a specific mood disorder code?

Use F39 when the patient's mood symptoms do not meet the criteria for a specific mood disorder, and ensure that documentation supports this decision.

ICD-10 F39 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of unspecified mood [affective] disorder.