Revenue Cycle Insider

Question: If a patient suffers from clonazepam (Klonopin) dependence with withdrawal, what is the appropriate ICD-10-CM code? I don’t see a diagnosis code for dependence on this drug.

Texas Subscriber

Answer: The reason you don’t see a specific diagnosis code for clonazepam dependence is that it is a sedative, which is grouped in the F13.23.- (Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence with withdrawal) ICD-10-CM code set. As you can see, however, this is not the end of your diagnosis coding journey.

You’ll need a 6^th character for any of the codes in the F13.23- set, depending on encounter specifics. Here are the 6-character options for your patient:

• Report F13.230 (Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence with withdrawal, uncomplicated) if the patient suffers from physical or mental disturbances from the withdrawal, but without any delirium or disturbances of perception.

• Report F13.231 (Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence with withdrawal delirium) if the patient suffers from physical or mental disturbances from the withdrawal as well as delirium (disorientation, memory/speech issues, mood swings, agitation, etc.). 

• Report F13.232 (Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence with withdrawal with perceptual disturbance) if the patient suffers from physical or mental disturbances from the withdrawal as well as perceptual disturbances (auditory or visual distortions/hallucinations, tactile sensation issues, depersonalization, etc.). 

• Report F13.239 (Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence with withdrawal, unspecified) if the type of withdrawal is unspecified.

Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC