ICD-10 Codes for Depression: F32 and F33
Codes verified against the CMS FY2027 ICD-10-CM code descriptions (effective October 1, 2026; these codes are unchanged from FY2026). Reviewed . See sources.
What is the ICD-10 code for depression?
Major depressive disorder is coded in F32 for a single episode and F33 for recurrent episodes, with the fourth character showing severity or remission. F32.9 is major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified, and F32.A is "Depression, unspecified" (Depression NOS). F33.1 is recurrent, moderate. F32 and F33 are category headings, not billable codes.
Depression codes are among the most used diagnosis codes in outpatient behavioral health, and the difference between F32 and F33 is the first decision: is this the first documented major depressive episode, or a recurrence? After that, the code captures severity (mild, moderate, severe without or with psychotic features) or remission status.
The tables below give every F32 and F33 code with its official FY2027 description and billable flag. Bipolar depression is coded in F31, not here; see the bipolar disorder codes.
F32 single episode and other depressive episode codes
| Code | Official description (FY2027) | Billable | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| F32 | Depressive episode | No (header) | Category only. |
| F32.0 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild | Yes | First episode, documented as mild. |
| F32.1 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate | Yes | First episode, documented as moderate. |
| F32.2 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features | Yes | First episode, severe, no psychotic features. |
| F32.3 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features | Yes | First episode, severe, with psychotic features. |
| F32.4 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, in partial remission | Yes | Single episode now in partial remission. |
| F32.5 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, in full remission | Yes | Single episode now in full remission. |
| F32.81 | Premenstrual dysphoric disorder | Yes | Documented PMDD. |
| F32.89 | Other specified depressive episodes | Yes | Inclusion terms: atypical depression, post-schizophrenic depression. |
| F32.9 | Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified | Yes | Inclusion term: Major depression NOS. |
| F32.A | Depression, unspecified | Yes | Inclusion terms: Depression NOS, Depressive disorder NOS. |
F33 codes for recurrent major depressive disorder
Note that F33.4 is a subcategory heading in the FY2027 file. A remission code for recurrent depression needs the fifth character: F33.40, F33.41 or F33.42.
| Code | Official description (FY2027) | Billable | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| F33 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent | No (header) | Category only. |
| F33.0 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild | Yes | Recurrent, current episode mild. |
| F33.1 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate | Yes | Recurrent, current episode moderate. |
| F33.2 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features | Yes | Recurrent, severe, no psychotic features. |
| F33.3 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic symptoms | Yes | Recurrent, severe, with psychotic symptoms. |
| F33.40 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in remission, unspecified | Yes | In remission, partial or full not stated. |
| F33.41 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission | Yes | Recurrent, partial remission. |
| F33.42 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remission | Yes | Recurrent, full remission. |
| F33.8 | Other recurrent depressive disorders | Yes | Inclusion term: recurrent brief depressive episodes. |
| F33.9 | Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified | Yes | Inclusion term: monopolar depression NOS. |
F32.9 vs F32.A: which unspecified depression code?
The two codes describe different documentation. F32.9 is major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified, and its inclusion term is "Major depression NOS". It fits when the clinician diagnoses major depression but does not record severity. F32.A is "Depression, unspecified", with the inclusion terms "Depression NOS" and "Depressive disorder NOS". It fits when the record says depression or depressive disorder without saying it is major depressive disorder.
Both are billable, but both are unspecified codes. Section IV.F.3 of the FY2027 Official Guidelines asks for the highest specificity the record supports, so once severity is documented, move to the matching F32 or F33 code.
Other depressive disorders coded outside F32 and F33
| Code | Official description (FY2027) | Billable | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| F34.1 | Dysthymic disorder | Yes | Persistent depressive disorder documented as dysthymia. |
| F34.81 | Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder | Yes | Documented DMDD. |
| F43.21 | Adjustment disorder with depressed mood | Yes | Depressed mood as a reaction to a stressor. F32 has an Excludes2 note for adjustment disorder (F43.2), so both can be coded when both are documented. |
| F31.30 | Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, mild or moderate severity, unspecified | Yes | Depression in bipolar disorder. F32 and F33 both have an Excludes1 note for bipolar disorder (F31.-). |
| Z13.31 | Encounter for screening for depression | Yes | A screening encounter, not a diagnosis. |
How do the F32 and F33 Excludes notes work?
Both categories carry an Excludes1 note for bipolar disorder (F31.-) and manic episode (F30.-), and F32 has one for recurrent depressive disorder (F33.-). Excludes1 means the codes are never reported together, so a client cannot carry both F32.1 and F33.1, and a depressive episode in a client with documented bipolar disorder is coded in F31.
F32 also has an Excludes2 note for adjustment disorder (F43.2). Excludes2 means "not included here": a client may have both, and both codes may be used when both are documented. Remission codes need the same care as the others: the record should say partial or full remission before F32.4, F32.5, F33.41 or F33.42 is used.
How does the depression code pair with the CPT code?
A weekly 45 minute session for recurrent moderate major depressive disorder is reported as CPT 90834 with F33.1. A PHQ-9 given at the visit may be reported with CPT 96127 where the payer covers it. When a prescriber adds psychotherapy to an E/M visit, the psychotherapy add-on codes such as 90836 apply. The diagnosis should be supported in the note for each date of service.
What should the session note show?
- Whether this is a single episode or recurrent, stated in the assessment.
- Current severity (mild, moderate, severe) and whether psychotic features are present, or remission status, matching the fourth or fifth character.
- Symptoms reported or observed this session and their effect on functioning.
- Risk assessment when indicated, and any change since the last visit.
- Screening scores with the instrument and date (for example a PHQ-9 total).
- Interventions, response, and progress toward goals. A BIRP note or SOAP note keeps these sections consistent.
Common mistakes
- Using F32 codes for a client whose record shows prior major depressive episodes (that is F33).
- Reporting F33.4 alone. It is a subcategory heading; pick F33.40, F33.41 or F33.42.
- Coding a depressive episode as F32 or F33 when the client has a documented bipolar disorder (F31 applies).
- Leaving F32.9 or F32.A in place for months after severity has been documented.
- Severity in the claim that does not match the severity in the note.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for major depressive disorder?
It depends on episode and severity. A single episode is coded F32.0 to F32.5 or F32.9, and recurrent major depressive disorder is coded F33.0 to F33.42 or F33.9. For example, recurrent, moderate is F33.1.
What is F32.A?
F32.A is "Depression, unspecified". Its inclusion terms are Depression NOS and Depressive disorder NOS. It is billable in FY2027 ICD-10-CM and is used when the record says depression without specifying major depressive disorder.
What does F33.1 mean?
F33.1 is major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate. It is a billable code and is one of the most common diagnosis codes on outpatient therapy claims.
Can F32 and F33 be coded together?
No. Category F32 has an Excludes1 note for recurrent depressive disorder (F33.-), so the two are never reported together. Choose F33 when the record shows recurrent episodes.
Is F32.9 billable?
Yes. F32.9, major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified, is billable. Because it is unspecified, update it when the clinician documents severity.
Did depression codes change in FY2027?
No. The F32 and F33 codes and descriptions are identical in the FY2026 and FY2027 ICD-10-CM files. FY2027 took effect October 1, 2026.
Related references
Sources
- CMS: FY2027 ICD-10-CM code descriptions in tabular order (zip)
- CMS: FY2027 ICD-10-CM code tables, tabular and index (zip)
- CMS and NCHS: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY2027 (PDF)
- CMS: ICD-10 code files (FY2027 and FY2026 ICD-10-CM)
- CDC NCHS: ICD-10-CM and the ICD-10-CM Browser Tool
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