F10.939

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A person uses alcohol and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but the specific type or severity is not clearly documented.

Coding Tips

• •Use this code only when withdrawal is documented but cannot be classified as uncomplicated, with delirium, or with perceptual disturbance
• •Request clarification from the provider to assign a more specific withdrawal code if possible

Clinical Significance

Alcohol withdrawal, unspecified represents a clinically significant state where abrupt cessation or reduction of alcohol intake triggers autonomic hyperactivity and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This diagnosis matters for risk adjustment because withdrawal indicates a severity of alcohol use that requires medical monitoring and intervention, reflecting higher expected healthcare costs.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Provider documentation of alcohol use pattern (frequency, quantity, duration)
• ✓Documentation of withdrawal symptoms present (tremors, diaphoresis, tachycardia, anxiety, nausea)
• ✓Statement that withdrawal type/severity is unspecified or cannot be further classified
• ✓Clinical assessment ruling out other causes of symptoms (infection, metabolic derangement)
• ✓Treatment plan for withdrawal management (benzodiazepines, supportive care, monitoring protocol)

Commonly Confused Codes