F10.21
BillableAlcohol dependence, in remission
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 139 — Alcohol Use Disorder
0.584V24HCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.334ESRDHCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.000What This Code Means
A person who was dependent on alcohol but is now in remission, meaning they have stopped drinking or significantly reduced their alcohol use and are maintaining recovery.
Coding Tips
- •Document the length of remission (early or sustained) if available, though this level of specificity may require additional codes
- •Ensure documentation confirms the patient is not currently using alcohol or is in a controlled recovery state
Clinical Significance
This code captures alcohol dependence currently in remission, documenting a history of alcohol dependence where the patient is not actively using or meeting criteria for active dependence. Remission status is important for ongoing monitoring, relapse prevention planning, and medication management. This code still carries risk adjustment weight because patients in remission require continued care coordination and monitoring.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of alcohol dependence with at least three of: tolerance, withdrawal, use in larger amounts/longer periods than intended, persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down, significant time spent obtaining/using/recovering, important activities given up, continued use despite knowledge of physical/psychological problems
- ✓Documentation of remission status — specify early remission (3-12 months) or sustained remission (12+ months) if possible
- ✓Assessment and plan addressing alcohol use disorder with treatment recommendations (counseling, medication-assisted treatment, referral, etc.)
Commonly Confused Codes
F10.1x — Alcohol abuse codes; abuse is a less severe pattern — if documentation says 'dependence,' do not downcode to abuseF10.9x — Alcohol use, unspecified; always code dependence when documented, as it carries appropriate risk adjustment weightF10.20 — Alcohol dependence, uncomplicated; use F10.21 specifically when remission is documentedZ87.891 — Personal history of nicotine dependence; not the same pattern — alcohol remission uses the active code with remission qualifier
Code Hierarchy
└F10Alcohol related disorders└F10.2Alcohol dependence└F10.21Alcohol dependence, in remission
└F10.21Alcohol dependence, in remission