F10.121

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Alcohol abuse accompanied by delirium (confusion, hallucinations, agitation) that occurs during intoxication.

Coding Tips

• •Document the presence of delirium symptoms and their temporal relationship to alcohol intoxication
• •Distinguish from withdrawal delirium, which occurs when alcohol levels are decreasing

Clinical Significance

This code captures alcohol abuse with intoxication delirium, documenting an acute episode of alcohol intoxication in a patient with an established pattern of alcohol abuse. Intoxication delirium represents a more severe presentation with altered consciousness and cognitive disturbance requiring urgent medical attention. Accurate coding of the use level (abuse) and intoxication status is critical for tracking substance use severity and ensuring appropriate risk adjustment.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Documentation of a maladaptive pattern of alcohol use with clinically significant impairment or distress (recurrent use causing role failure, hazardous use, legal problems, or social/interpersonal problems)
• ✓Confirmation that criteria for alcohol dependence are NOT met (no tolerance, withdrawal, or compulsive use pattern)
• ✓Documentation of acute intoxication at the time of the encounter, with clinical findings (e.g., blood alcohol level, slurred speech, impaired coordination)
• ✓Documentation of delirium symptoms: acute onset of confusion, altered consciousness, disorientation, agitation, or perceptual disturbances during intoxication
• ✓Assessment and plan addressing alcohol use disorder with treatment recommendations (counseling, medication-assisted treatment, referral, etc.)

Commonly Confused Codes