F18.97
BillableInhalant use, unspecified with inhalant-induced persisting 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 with inhalant use (not dependent) who has developed long-term dementia (permanent memory loss and cognitive decline) from their inhalant exposure.
Coding Tips
- •Document that dementia is persistent and caused by inhalant use, not temporary intoxication
- •This represents permanent neurological damage from chronic inhalant exposure
Clinical Significance
This code identifies persisting dementia caused by inhalant exposure, representing irreversible neurotoxic brain damage. Substance-induced persisting dementia indicates permanent cognitive decline requiring long-term supportive care, cognitive rehabilitation, and ongoing supervision. Accurate documentation is essential for risk adjustment as these patients have substantially elevated care needs comparable to other dementia etiologies.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation of inhalant use, specifying the type of inhalant when known (e.g., toluene, gasoline, aerosol propellants, nitrites)
- ✓Documentation of substance use pattern; query provider to determine if abuse or dependence criteria are met for more specific coding
- ✓Cognitive assessment documenting persistent deficits in memory, executive function, or other cognitive domains
- ✓Provider documentation that the dementia is caused by substance use and persists beyond the period of acute intoxication or withdrawal
- ✓Assessment and plan addressing the substance use disorder with treatment approach documented
Commonly Confused Codes
F18.10-F18.19 (Inhalant abuse codes) — use when documentation supports a pattern of harmful use without dependenceF18.20-F18.29 (Inhalant dependence codes) — use when documentation supports physiological or psychological dependenceF18.97 / F18.17 / F18.27 (Inhalant-induced persisting dementia at other use pattern levels) — ensure the correct use pattern (abuse, dependence, unspecified) is selectedF01-F03 (Vascular or unspecified dementia) — these codes are for primary dementia not caused by substance useF19.x codes (Other psychoactive substance use) — F19 is for substances other than inhalants; use F18 specifically when the substance is an inhalant
Code Hierarchy
└F18Inhalant related disorders└F18.9Inhalant use, unspecified└F18.97Inhalant use, unspecified with inhalant-induced persisting dementia
└F18.97Inhalant use, unspecified with inhalant-induced persisting dementia