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ICD-10 codes for bipolar disorder

Navigate bipolar disorder coding with confidence. Our guide helps you master ICD-10 codes for BPD I, BPD II, and subtypes for easy documentation.

An estimated 4.4 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at some time in their lives — so it’s possible at some point, you have or will treat someone with the condition in your practice. 

As with any diagnosis, using the correct and most specific ICD-10 diagnosis code to effectively communicate the client’s presenting symptoms is important, ensuring the billing process will run smoothly for both of you. Keep reading to learn more about ICD-10 codes for bipolar disorder and how to document them for compliant billing.

It’s important you make a clear, accurate and specific diagnosis that is appropriate to your individual patient clinical picture. These examples should be for reference and are not intended to guide a diagnosis. The client must meet diagnostic criteria for the F code they are assigned.

What are the most common ICD codes associated with bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, like many other diagnoses, has more than one ICD code associated with it. Using the correct code — the one that most accurately reflects your client’s diagnosis — is essential, as the diagnosis ultimately guides the treatment you’ll bill for. 

When billing for bipolar disorder, accuracy is especially important, because treatment can be significantly different for the two types.

The primary ICD codes for bipolar disorder reflect the two types of bipolar diagnoses, including: 

  • Bipolar Disorder I (F31.0):  Bipolar I Disorder is defined by the presence of at least one manic episode, which may be accompanied by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. 
  • Bipolar Disorder II (F31.81):  Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by recurrent depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not true manic episodes. 

ICD codes for subtypes of bipolar disorder

Many mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, have subtypes and specifiers. If your client has a subtype of bipolar disorder, using the appropriate code can help streamline the billing process. Additionally, specifiers reflect the current episode and course of the disorder. Importantly, if there is a more specific code available, it must be used. 

Specifier ICD codes for bipolar disorder include:

  • Cyclothymic Disorder (F34.0): Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It’s characterized by numerous periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms. 
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode hypomanic (F31.0)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic without psychotic features (F31.1)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic without psychotic features, unspecified (F31.10)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic without psychotic features, mild (F31.11)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic without psychotic features, moderate (F31.12)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic without psychotic features, severe (F31.13)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode manic severe with psychotic features (F31.2)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, mild or moderate severity (F31.3)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, unspecified (F31.31)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, mild (F31.31)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, moderate (F31.32)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, severe, without psychotic features (F31.34)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, severe, with psychotic features (F31.5)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed (F31.6)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed, unspecified (F31.60)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed, mild (F31.61)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed, moderate (F31.62)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed, severe, without psychotic features (F31.63)
  • Bipolar disorder, current episode mixed, severe, with psychotic features (F31.64)
  • Bipolar disorder, currently in remission (F31.7)
  • Bipolar disorder, currently in remission, most recent episode unspecified (F31.70)
  • Bipolar disorder, in partial remission, most recent episode hypomanic (F31.71)
  • Bipolar disorder, in full remission, most recent episode hypomanic (F31.72)
  • Bipolar disorder, in partial remission, most recent episode manic (F31.73)
  • Bipolar disorder, in full remission, most recent episode manic (F31.74)
  • Bipolar disorder, in partial remission, most recent episode depressed (F31.75)
  • Bipolar disorder, in full remission, most recent episode depressed (F31.76)
  • Bipolar disorder, in partial remission, most recent episode mixed (F31.77)
  • Bipolar disorder, in full remission, most recent episode mixed (F31.78)
  • Other bipolar disorder (F31.89)
  • Bipolar disorder, unspecified (F31.9)

Documenting ICD codes for bipolar disorder

Proper documentation is always important for compliance to insurance payers’ policies, including when you’re billing for bipolar disorder treatment. Keep in mind your diagnosis should always align with the treatment you provide — which is reflected in your CPT code. If an insurance payer questions whether your treatment is justified based on the diagnosis, you may face frustrating delays in payments (and extra work filing claims). 

To ensure compliance across the board, choose a note-taking template — such as SOAP notes  or DARP notes — that allows you to clearly communicate key information about your client’s bipolar disorder diagnosis, symptoms, therapeutic goals, and treatments in all your documentation.

Headway makes documentation seamless for its providers.

Spend less time on paperwork and more time with your clients. Headway simplifies the administrative side of your practice by handling insurance billing, credentialing, and scheduling — all at no cost to you. We take care of the headaches so you can focus on what matters most: providing excellent care. With Headway, you’ll have the tools and support you need to grow your practice, get paid on time, and navigate insurance with ease.

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Billing and coding

ICD-10 codes for adjustment disorders

In the ICD-10, adjustment disorders fall under the F43 category, or “reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders.”

ICD-10 codes for adjustment disorders