Which code corresponds to Moderate, depressed?

Which code corresponds to Moderate, depressed?

• A. F31.31
• B. F31.12
• C. F31.4
• D. F31.32

Answer: (D)

When coding a bipolar disorder with a current mood episode, you use F31 with sublevels that specify the episode type and its severity. For bipolar disorder, a current depressive episode is indicated by the 3 after the decimal, and the final digit shows severity: mild, moderate, or severe. The code for a current depressive episode at moderate severity is F31.32. That’s why this option is the best fit for “Moderate, depressed.” The other codes don’t match this exact scenario: they either reflect a different severity level for the depressive episode or describe a different mood state (such as manic or hypomanic episodes) or a different specifier, so they don’t capture the combination “depressed” plus “moderate” in a bipolar current episode.

When coding a bipolar disorder with a current mood episode, you use F31 with sublevels that specify the episode type and its severity. For bipolar disorder, a current depressive episode is indicated by the 3 after the decimal, and the final digit shows severity: mild, moderate, or severe. The code for a current depressive episode at moderate severity is F31.32. That’s why this option is the best fit for “Moderate, depressed.”

The other codes don’t match this exact scenario: they either reflect a different severity level for the depressive episode or describe a different mood state (such as manic or hypomanic episodes) or a different specifier, so they don’t capture the combination “depressed” plus “moderate” in a bipolar current episode.