Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: What are the different types of anorexia nervosa, and what ICD-10 codes should I use to report this condition?

Washington Subscriber

Answer: There are three codes you could select to report this condition. Here’s a look at when to use each of them:

• F50.01 (Anorexia nervosa, restricting type). This condition is marked by severely restricted eating or even starving, often accompanied by an intense exercise regimen.
• F50.02 (Anorexia nervosa, binge eating/purging type). This condition is marked by excessively thin patients that eat large quantities of food, then try to compensate by purging by vomiting or using laxatives, enema, and diuretics.

Unspecified code: If the provider doesn’t specify the anorexia type, report F50.00 (Anorexia nervosa, unspecified).