F32.0
BillableMajor depressive disorder, single episode, mild
HCC Category Mapping
V24HCC 59 — Major Depressive, Bipolar, and Paranoid Disorders
0.309ESRDHCC 59 — Major Depressive, Bipolar, and Paranoid Disorders
0.000RxHCCHCC 132 — Major Depressive Disorder and Other Mood Disorders
0.000What This Code Means
A first-time episode of major depression with mild symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning but are not severe.
Coding Tips
- •Single episode means this is the patient's first major depressive episode; confirm no prior episodes
- •Mild severity requires documentation of functional impairment but without severe symptoms like psychosis
Clinical Significance
Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild represents a first-time major depressive episode with minimal functional impairment. While mild, this diagnosis establishes a psychiatric history that is important for longitudinal care planning. Single episode designation indicates no prior history of major depressive episodes, which has prognostic implications for recurrence risk.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation of major depressive disorder (not simply 'depression' or 'depressed mood')
- ✓First (single) episode explicitly stated or confirmed through history review
- ✓Severity documented as mild with minimal functional impairment
- ✓Core depressive symptoms documented (depressed mood, anhedonia, plus supporting criteria)
- ✓Duration of at least 2 weeks
- ✓Treatment plan including therapy, medication, or both
Commonly Confused Codes
F33.0 — Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild: Use when there has been a prior major depressive episodeF32.A — Depression, unspecified: Less specific, does not confirm major depressive disorder criteriaF32.1 — Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate: Greater functional impairmentF34.1 — Dysthymic disorder: Chronic low-grade depression lasting at least 2 years, not episodic
Code Hierarchy
└F32Depressive episode└F32.0Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
└F32.0Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild