ICD-10 for therapists
F32.2 — Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features
A single episode with most criteria met at high intensity and marked functional impairment, without delusions or hallucinations.
- Code
- F32.2 (ICD-10-CM)
- Common CPT pairings
- 90791 · 90837 · 90838 · 90853
Clinical picture
- Symptom count well above threshold, with intensity that seriously interferes with functioning; often includes prominent neurovegetative signs.
- Assess suicide risk explicitly and document the assessment at every visit while severity persists.
- If delusions or hallucinations are present, code F32.3 instead; if there is any history of mania, evaluate the bipolar spectrum first.
Documentation tips
- Document the risk assessment, safety planning, and level-of-care decision — severe coding without them is a red flag in audit.
- Note coordination with prescribers or higher levels of care; frequency above weekly should be justified in the plan.
Billing notes
Severe specifiers support longer sessions (90837) and greater frequency. Crisis codes (90839/90840) apply only to genuine crisis sessions with documented crisis content.
Related codes
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Start free — no credit cardThis reference summarizes ICD-10-CM coding conventions and common billing practice for licensed clinicians. It is not medical, legal, or payer-specific billing advice; diagnosis requires clinical evaluation, and payer policies vary. Verify codes against the current ICD-10-CM release.