F13.20
BillableSedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence, uncomplicated
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 137 — Drug Use Disorder/Substance Use Disorder, Moderate/Severe
0.358V24HCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.334ESRDHCC 55 — Drug/Alcohol Dependence
0.000What This Code Means
A person has developed a dependence on sedative, hypnotic, or anti-anxiety medications without any current complications or withdrawal symptoms.
Coding Tips
- •Use this code when dependence is documented without intoxication, withdrawal, or other specified complications
- •Verify the substance is specifically a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic drug rather than other depressants
Clinical Significance
Uncomplicated sedative dependence represents a more severe substance use pattern than abuse, indicating physiological or psychological dependence on sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics. This is clinically significant because benzodiazepine and other sedative dependence carries serious risks including potentially life-threatening withdrawal. The dependence classification reflects a higher level of clinical complexity and treatment need than abuse.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation explicitly stating 'dependence' on sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic substances
- ✓Identification of the specific substance (benzodiazepine, barbiturate, zolpidem, etc.)
- ✓Evidence of dependence criteria: tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, compulsive use, inability to cut down
- ✓Confirmation that no current intoxication, withdrawal, or induced disorders are present (uncomplicated)
- ✓Current treatment status and plan for the dependence
- ✓Duration and pattern of substance use supporting dependence diagnosis
Commonly Confused Codes
F13.10 — Sedative ABUSE uncomplicated; abuse is less severe than dependence and carries a lower HCCF13.21 — Sedative dependence in remission; patient is no longer actively dependentF13.220 — Sedative dependence with intoxication; patient is currently intoxicatedF13.230 — Sedative dependence with withdrawal; patient is currently in withdrawalF13.90 — Sedative use, unspecified; use when abuse vs dependence cannot be determined
Code Hierarchy
└F13Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic related disorders└F13.2Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-related dependence└F13.20Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence, uncomplicated
└F13.20Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic dependence, uncomplicated