ICD-10-CM F33.2

ICD-10 Code F33.2: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features

F33.2 is the ICD-10-CM code for major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features. With psychotic features the code is F33.3, and a severe single episode is F32.2.

Official description
Major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features
Billable
Yes
Parent category
F33 · Major depressive disorder, recurrent
DSM-5-TR name
Major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, severe

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 F33.2

  • Recurrent and severe, without psychotic features
  • The official descriptor has no comma before “severe” - that is how it is published
  • Document risk assessment and safety planning alongside the severity

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 F33.2

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 F33.2:

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

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between F33.2 and F33.3?

Both are a severe recurrent major depressive episode. F33.2 is without psychotic features and F33.3 is with psychotic symptoms.

Can a therapist bill F33.2?

Yes. Any licensed clinician who makes the diagnosis can report it. Payers expect the record to support a severe episode, including impairment and risk assessment.

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.