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v1.0.0
ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesR46.5

R46.5

Suspiciousness and marked evasiveness

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/11/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 R46.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of suspiciousness and marked evasiveness.

Key Diagnostic Point:

R46.5 refers to a clinical presentation characterized by an individual's pervasive distrust and suspicion of others, often leading to marked evasiveness in social interactions. This symptom can manifest in various contexts, including psychiatric disorders, neurological conditions, or as a response to stress or trauma. Patients may exhibit behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, being defensive, or interpreting benign actions as threatening. The underlying causes can range from personality disorders, such as paranoid personality disorder, to acute stress reactions or substance-induced states. Clinicians should assess the duration, context, and associated symptoms to determine the underlying etiology. Proper documentation should include the patient's history, mental status examination, and any relevant psychosocial factors that may contribute to these behaviors. Understanding the clinical context is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Variability in presentation across different patient populations
  • Overlap with other psychiatric diagnoses
  • Need for comprehensive documentation to support the diagnosis
  • Potential for misinterpretation of symptoms

Audit Risk Factors

  • Inadequate documentation of the patient's history and symptoms
  • Failure to differentiate from other psychiatric conditions
  • Misuse of the code in non-psychiatric contexts
  • Lack of supporting evidence for the diagnosis

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Internal Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Documentation should include a detailed history of present illness, psychosocial factors, and any relevant medical history that may contribute to the patient's behavior.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients presenting with unexplained anxiety, chronic illness, or psychosomatic complaints may exhibit suspiciousness.

Billing Considerations

Consider the impact of chronic medical conditions on mental health and document any relevant comorbidities.

Emergency Medicine

Documentation Requirements

Acute care documentation should capture the patient's immediate behavior, any threats to safety, and the context of the emergency visit.

Common Clinical Scenarios

Patients in crisis situations, such as those experiencing acute psychosis or severe anxiety, may present with marked evasiveness.

Billing Considerations

Emergency settings require rapid assessment and documentation of the patient's mental state and any immediate interventions.

Coding Guidelines

Inclusion Criteria

Use R46.5 When
  • Follow official ICD
  • CM coding guidelines, ensuring that the diagnosis is supported by clinical documentation
  • The code should be used when suspiciousness and marked evasiveness are the primary focus of the clinical encounter

Exclusion Criteria

Do NOT use R46.5 When
No specific exclusions found.

Related CPT Codes

90791CPT Code

Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation

Clinical Scenario

Used when evaluating a patient presenting with suspiciousness and evasiveness.

Documentation Requirements

Comprehensive documentation of the patient's mental status, history, and presenting symptoms.

Specialty Considerations

Ensure that the evaluation captures the context of the patient's behavior.

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like suspiciousness, improving the ability to capture the nuances of patient presentations and facilitating better data collection for research and treatment planning.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

The transition to ICD-10 has allowed for more specific coding of symptoms like suspiciousness, improving the ability to capture the nuances of patient presentations and facilitating better data collection for research and treatment planning.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement and compliance.

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 R46.5 be used?

R46.5 should be used when a patient presents with suspiciousness and marked evasiveness as a primary concern, and when no more specific diagnosis is applicable.