F13.921

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

A person is using sedatives, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety medications without a diagnosed dependence and is experiencing severe confusion and disorientation (delirium) from intoxication with these drugs.

Coding Tips

• •This code indicates non-dependent use, so verify that dependence criteria are not met before assigning this code
• •Document the acute presentation of delirium and its temporal relationship to substance use

Clinical Significance

Unspecified sedative use with intoxication delirium indicates a patient is experiencing acute confusion and disorientation from sedative intoxication. The unspecified use status is common in emergency settings where substance use history is incomplete. The delirium component indicates a severe and potentially life-threatening presentation requiring immediate medical intervention regardless of the use pattern classification.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Clinical findings of delirium: acute confusion, fluctuating consciousness, disorientation
• ✓Evidence of sedative intoxication (substance identified or clinical presentation consistent)
• ✓Temporal relationship between substance use and delirium onset
• ✓Mental status assessment documenting delirium features
• ✓Vital signs and monitoring data
• ✓Emergency interventions and treatment provided

Commonly Confused Codes