ICD-10-CM F33.1

ICD-10 Code F33.1: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate

F33.1 is the ICD-10-CM code for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate. It is one of the most frequently billed mental health codes. It applies when there has been a prior major depressive episode and the current episode is moderate.

Official description
Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
Billable
Yes
Parent category
F33 · Major depressive disorder, recurrent
DSM-5-TR name
Major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, moderate

Verified against the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set (CDC/NCHS and CMS), effective October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027, on . Chapter 5: Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99).

Coding notes for F33.1

  • Recurrent requires a documented earlier episode - otherwise use F32.1
  • Moderate severity sits between F33.0 (mild) and F33.2 (severe)
  • Revisit the code as severity changes over treatment

What to document for medical necessity

Payers look for a record that supports the diagnosis and the level of care. For depressive disorders that usually means:

  • The symptoms that support the diagnosis and how long they have been present
  • The current severity (mild, moderate, severe) and how you arrived at it - a scored measure such as the PHQ-9 helps
  • Whether this is a first episode or a recurrence, since that decides F32 versus F33
  • Functional impairment at work, school, home, or in relationships
  • Risk assessment, including suicidal ideation, at intake and when it changes
  • Treatment plan goals tied to the depressive symptoms you are treating

CPT codes often billed with F33.1

The ICD-10 code says why you are treating the client and the CPT code says what you did. These are the service codes most often paired with F33.1:

90791 · Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (intake) 90834 · 45-minute individual psychotherapy 90837 · 60-minute individual psychotherapy 96127 · Brief emotional or behavioral assessment

Free templates for this diagnosis

Related ICD-10 codes

F33.0 · Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild F33.2 · Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features F32.1 · Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate F33.9 · Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between F32.1 and F33.1?

Both are moderate major depressive disorder. F32.1 is a single episode and F33.1 is recurrent. Use F33.1 only when a previous major depressive episode is documented.

What CPT codes go with F33.1?

Any psychotherapy code the session supports. Typically that is 90791 for the intake and 90832, 90834, or 90837 depending on session length.

This page is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, billing, or legal advice. The diagnosis is the treating clinician's call, and payer rules vary - always confirm against the current ICD-10-CM code set and official guidelines and your payer's policy. See the full mental health ICD-10 code list.