F18.17
BillableInhalant abuse with inhalant-induced dementia
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 135 — Drug/Alcohol Psychosis
0.000V24HCC 54 — Drug/Alcohol Psychosis
0.434ESRDHCC 54 — Drug/Alcohol Psychosis
0.000What This Code Means
A person is abusing inhalants and has developed dementia (progressive loss of memory and cognitive function) caused by the inhalant use.
Coding Tips
- •Document that the dementia is directly caused by chronic inhalant abuse, not from another etiology
- •This represents long-term neurotoxic effects of inhalant abuse and may be irreversible
Clinical Significance
Inhalant abuse with induced dementia represents one of the most devastating complications of inhalant use. Chronic exposure to volatile solvents (especially toluene) causes progressive white matter destruction, cerebellar degeneration, and cognitive decline that may be irreversible. This is a life-altering diagnosis carrying significant care complexity.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of inhalant abuse (current or chronic history)
- ✓Cognitive assessment demonstrating dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or neuropsychological testing)
- ✓Provider statement that dementia is caused by inhalant use
- ✓Brain imaging showing white matter changes, cerebellar atrophy, or cortical atrophy
- ✓Timeline of cognitive decline relative to inhalant exposure
- ✓Assessment of functional status and need for supervision/care
- ✓Differentiation from other dementia etiologies
Commonly Confused Codes
F18.27 — Inhalant dependence with induced dementia; use when dependence is documentedF18.97 — Inhalant use, unspecified with induced dementia; less specific use patternF03.90 — Unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance; use for dementia of unknown etiologyG31.2 — Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol; different substance category
Code Hierarchy
└F18Inhalant related disorders└F18.1Inhalant abuse└F18.17Inhalant abuse with inhalant-induced dementia
└F18.17Inhalant abuse with inhalant-induced dementia