ICD-10-CM F33.9

ICD-10 Code F33.9: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified

F33.9 is the ICD-10-CM code for major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified. It covers a recurrent episode of major depression when the severity is not specified.

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

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 F33.9

  • Use when severity has not been determined, then update to F33.0-F33.2
  • For a client in remission, F33.41 (partial) or F33.42 (full) is more accurate
  • Some payers question long-term use of unspecified codes

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 F33.9

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 F33.9:

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

Frequently asked questions

Is F33.9 a billable code?

Yes. F33.9 is billable. It is still worth moving to a severity-specific code once the assessment supports one.

What is the ICD-10 code for recurrent depression in remission?

F33.41 is major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission, and F33.42 is in full remission. F33.40 is in remission, unspecified.

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.