F32.0 ICD-10-CM Code: Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
F32.0 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software
HCC Buddy Code Card
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FY 2026 Apr update / Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99) / Mood [affective] disorders (F30-F39)
F32.0
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMajor depressive disorder, single episode, mild
A first-time episode of major depression with mild symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning but are not severe.
Buddy Insight
Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild represents a first-time major depressive episode with minimal functional impairment.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
MappedHCC 59
Code-level coefficient reference
RXHCC
MappedHCC 132
Code-level coefficient reference
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
OfficialNo inclusion terms are included in this display for F32.0. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Excludes 2
Official- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)Inherited from F01-F99, F32
- adjustment disorder (F43.2)Inherited from F01-F99, F32
Related Codes
Includes
Official- disorders of psychological developmentInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of agitated depressionInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of depressive reactionInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of major depressionInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of psychogenic depressionInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of reactive depressionInherited from F01-F99, F32
- single episode of vital depressionInherited from F01-F99, F32
Excludes 1
Official- bipolar disorder (F31.-)Inherited from F32
- manic episode (F30.-)Inherited from F32
- recurrent depressive disorder (F33.-)Inherited from F32
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for F32.0. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for F32.0. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for F32.0. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Buddy Documentation Tip
MEAT Support
Audit Caution
Common Mistakes
Current with CMS: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr 1 update (effective Apr 1 – Sep 30, 2026) · CMS-HCC V28, 100% phased in for payment year 2026. FY2027 code set already staged for October 1, 2026. How HCC Buddy stays current →
Is F32.0 an HCC code?
F32.0 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F32.0 has a separate mapping under the CMS-HCC ESRD model (HCC 59 (Major Depressive/Bipolar/and Paranoid Disorders)) and the Part D RxHCC model (HCC 132 (Depression)); the applicable result needs member context.
- Code
- F32.0
- Description
- Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
- HCC (V28)
- No CMS-HCC V28 mapping
- RAF reference coefficient
- —
- Billable
- Yes
- Payment year
- 2026
HCC Category Mapping
These are source-labeled model coefficients, not member totals. A category may still be removed by hierarchy or model cleanup rules. Weights are not directly comparable across models: CMS-HCC V28 and V24 use Community, Non-Dual, Aged; ESRD uses the dialysis continuing-enrollee model; RxHCC is the Part D continuing-enrollee, non-low-income, aged weight (a larger scale than CMS-HCC). ACA/HHS has no single weight — it varies by metal level. Actual per-patient RAF contribution depends on member context, hierarchy and cleanup rules, interactions, and the model year used by the payer. V28 is the CMS-HCC model phased in over payment years 2024–2026; V24 remains available for historical review.
Work F32.0 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for F32.0
For F32.0, confirm that the documentation supports the diagnosis and meets the applicable coding, encounter, program and payer requirements. MEAT (Monitor, Evaluate, Assess, or Treat) is a review mnemonic, not a universal CMS coding rule.
- MMonitor: signs, symptoms, disease progression, or lab trending documented in the note
- EEvaluate: test results, medication response, or physical findings reviewed by the provider
- AAssess: explicit mention in the assessment or plan with acknowledgment of status
- TTreat: medication, referral, procedure, therapy, or counseling tied to the diagnosis
Coder workflow notes
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What This Code Means
F32.0 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for major depressive disorder, single episode, mild. A first-time episode of major depression with mild symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning but are not severe. F32.0 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders (f01-f99), within the section covering mood [affective] disorders (f30-f39).
F32.0 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F32.0 has a separate mapping under the CMS-HCC ESRD model (HCC 59 (Major Depressive/Bipolar/and Paranoid Disorders)) and the Part D RxHCC model (HCC 132 (Depression)); the applicable result needs member context. Do not assign V28 risk adjustment value from this page; verify the applicable model and payment year before using this code for risk adjustment.
Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild, documentation must establish depression meeting DSM criteria with mild severity and no prior MDD episodes. Provider's assessment using PHQ-9 or clinical judgment supports the severity coding.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for F32.0 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild, documentation must establish depression meeting DSM criteria with mild severity and no prior MDD episodes. Provider's assessment using PHQ-9 or clinical judgment supports the severity coding.
- •Do not code F32.0 for a patient with recurrent MDD history, that is F33.* territory. The single-episode vs recurrent distinction is critical and frequently miscoded.
- •Mild single-episode depression and remission codes were excluded, so the severity the provider documents now determines whether the chart captures the HCC at all.
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 episode
- •F32.A: Depression, unspecified: Less specific, does not confirm major depressive disorder criteria
- •F32.1: Major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate: Greater functional impairment
- •F34.1: Dysthymic disorder: Chronic low-grade depression lasting at least 2 years, not episodic