The primary ICD-10-CM code for unspecified dementia, when its specific type, severity, or associated behavioral, psychotic, mood, or anxiety disturbances are not detailed, is F03.90. This code is frequently utilized for diagnostic and reimbursement purposes in healthcare settings.
Understanding ICD-10-CM Codes for Dementia
The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) provides a comprehensive set of codes used by healthcare professionals to classify and code diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures. For dementia, the coding system offers various specific codes that depend on several factors:
- Etiology (Cause): Is the dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, vascular issues, Parkinson's disease, Lewy bodies, or another underlying condition?
- Severity: Is the cognitive impairment classified as mild, moderate, or severe?
- Associated Symptoms: Does the individual exhibit behavioral disturbances (e.g., agitation, wandering), psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions), mood disturbances (e.g., depression), anxiety, or other specific manifestations?
While a general "dementia" code might be sought, the most precise coding requires detailed clinical information to ensure accuracy for patient care, research, and billing.
Specifics of F03.90
The code F03.90 specifically represents:
- Unspecified dementia
- Unspecified severity
- Without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety
This means if a patient's medical record simply states "dementia" without further details on its cause or any accompanying symptoms like agitation or depression, F03.90 would be an appropriate code to use. This code is billable, meaning it can be used for insurance claims and other reimbursement processes in a healthcare context. The 2025 edition of ICD-10-CM confirms F03.90 as a relevant diagnosis code.
Examples of Other Dementia-Related ICD-10 Codes
While F03.90 is designated for unspecified cases, healthcare providers will use more specific codes when detailed diagnostic information is available. Here are some examples of how dementia might be coded with more specificity within the ICD-10-CM system, typically falling under the F00-F09 category (Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders) or G30 for Alzheimer's disease:
| ICD-10-CM Code | Description |
|---|---|
| F00. | Dementia in Alzheimer's disease (with additional digits for severity and behavioral issues) |
| F01. | Vascular dementia (with additional digits for severity and behavioral issues) |
| F02. | Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere (e.g., Parkinson's, Huntington's, HIV) |
| F03. | Unspecified dementia (F03.90 is the baseline for no specific behaviors/severity) |
| G30. | Alzheimer's disease (the primary code for the disease itself) |
It is crucial for accurate medical billing and epidemiological tracking that the most specific and appropriate ICD-10-CM code is selected based on the clinical documentation. For further details on specific codes and their nuances, medical coders often refer to comprehensive resources like the official ICD-10-CM guidelines or online databases such as icd10data.com.
