ICD-10 for therapists
F32.9 — Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
Major depression, single episode, when severity has not (yet) been specified — common at intake, and worth refining once the picture is clear.
- Code
- F32.9 (ICD-10-CM)
- Common CPT pairings
- 90791 · 90834 · 90837
Clinical picture
- Legitimate at intake when severity is still being established, or when records are incomplete.
- Long-term use of the unspecified code suggests the assessment was never completed — refine to .0/.1/.2 as soon as severity is clear.
Documentation tips
- If you carry F32.9 past the first few sessions, document why severity remains unspecified.
- Payers increasingly flag chronic unspecified coding in utilization review; specific codes better support ongoing authorization.
Billing notes
Reimburses the same as specified severities in most plans, but weaker in medical-necessity reviews and prior-auth requests.
Related codes
Practice Harbor puts the right code one click away — in your notes, your claims, and your superbills.
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.