Understanding the GAD ICD-10 Code
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Looking for the GAD ICD-10 code? This article provides an overview of the ICD-10 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), unspecified anxiety disorder, other types of anxiety disorders, and a checklist of diagnostic criteria for the GAD ICD-10 code.
It’s essential for mental health clinicians to be able to determine the right code for behavioral health assessments and insurance billing purposes.
Bookmark this article as a reference to use next time you need to access the most common codes in the ICD-10 for generalized anxiety disorder.
What are ICD-10 codes?
The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a clinical guide published by the World Health Organization (WHO) which uses standard diagnostic language to identify health and disease trends. Clinicians in the United States refer to the ICD-10-CM, a clinical modification of the ICD-10 used for diagnosis codes.
U.S. clinicians also use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The DSM-5 also contains relevant GAD ICD-10 codes.
Using the appropriate ICD-10 codes is critical for clinicians to use as part of the assessment process, when defining treatment goals, and to ensure the correct insurance billing information.
What is the ICD-10 code for generalized anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is classified in the ICD-10 under the section “Anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders” (F40 to F48) and the sub-section “Other anxiety disorders” (F41).
There are six ICD-10 codes for “other anxiety disorders” listed in the ICD-10:
- F41: Other anxiety disorders
- Note: This code should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail.
- F41.0: Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety]
- F41.1: Generalized anxiety disorder
- F41.3: Other mixed anxiety disorders
- F41.8: Other specified anxiety disorders
- F41.9: Anxiety disorder, unspecified
If you are looking for a code in the ICD-10 for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, you may want to choose panic disorder (F41.0) instead, as that is the only ICD-10 code for anxiety with panic (episodic paroxysmal anxiety).
The GAD ICD-10 code (F41.1) is the number one most frequently billed ICD-10 code on SimplePractice’s list of the 20 most-frequently billed ICD-10 codes.
ICD-10 criteria for generalized anxiety disorder
In the ICD-10, generalized anxiety disorder is defined as “Anxiety that is generalized and persistent but not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in, any particular environmental circumstances.”
The main symptoms of GAD, while varied, include:
- Persistent nervousness
- Trembling
- Muscular tension
- Sweating
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Epigastric discomfort
- Fear of sickness or accident (for themselves and/or a relative)
While the code in the ICD-10 for generalized anxiety disorder is the same in the DSM-5, the DSM-5 lists more detailed diagnostic criteria.
The DSM-5 diagnosis criteria is summarized as follows:
A. Excessive anxiety and worry that occurs most days for at least six months about events or activities (such as work or school performance)
B. Difficulty controlling the worry
C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three or more of the following six symptoms, with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past six months (only one item is required in children):
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance
D. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social situations, occupationally, or in other important areas of functioning
E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition
F. The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder
Differential diagnosis for GAD
While some patients may meet one or two of the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, there may be a more appropriate diagnosis, such as:
- Anxiety disorders due to another medical condition
- Social anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Adjustment disorders
- Panic disorder
- Illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depressive, bipolar, and psychotic disorders
How to find the GAD ICD-10 code
The full list of GAD ICD-10 codes are available in digital and book formats:
- The official ICD-10 from the WHO under the section “Neurotic, Stress-related and Somatoform Disorders” (F40 to F48), and sub-section “Other Anxiety Disorders” (F41)
- ICD-10 Data, a searchable ICD-10 database
- DSM-5 in the textbook and digital version
It is worth noting that while the DSM-5 does contain accurate ICD-10 codes, they may not align with the most recent ICD version and diagnostic criteria and other indicators may differ.
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