F33.9 ICD-10-CM Code: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified
F33.9 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · free HCC coding tools
HCC Buddy Code Card
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FY 2026 Apr update / Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99) / Mood [affective] disorders (F30-F39)
F33.9
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceMajor depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified
Recurring major depression where the specific severity level or remission status is not documented or specified.
Buddy Insight
Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified is used when the provider documents recurrent MDD without specifying the current severity or remission status.
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
Official- Monopolar depression NOS
Excludes 2
Official- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)Inherited from F01-F99
Related Codes
Includes
Official- disorders of psychological developmentInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of depressive reactionInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of endogenous depressionInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of major depressionInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of psychogenic depressionInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of reactive depressionInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of seasonal affective disorderInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of seasonal depressive disorderInherited from F01-F99, F33
- recurrent episodes of vital depressionInherited from F01-F99, F33
Excludes 1
Official- bipolar disorder (F31.-)Inherited from F33
- manic episode (F30.-)Inherited from F33
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for F33.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for F33.9. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for F33.9. 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 F33.9 an HCC code?
F33.9 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F33.9 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
- F33.9
- Description
- Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified
- 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 F33.9 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for F33.9
For F33.9, 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
F33.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified. Recurring major depression where the specific severity level or remission status is not documented or specified. F33.9 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders (f01-f99), within the section covering mood [affective] disorders (f30-f39).
F33.9 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F33.9 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.
This is a default code used when the provider documents recurrent major depression but doesn't specify the current episode severity or remission status.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for F33.9 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •This is a default code used when the provider documents recurrent major depression but doesn't specify the current episode severity or remission status
- •Attempt to query the provider for more specific information to use a more precise code
Clinical Significance
Major depressive disorder, recurrent, unspecified is used when the provider documents recurrent MDD without specifying the current severity or remission status. This code is commonly used but represents a documentation improvement opportunity, as specifying severity enables more accurate risk adjustment and treatment planning. Recurrent MDD is a significant chronic psychiatric condition requiring ongoing management.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation of recurrent major depressive disorder
- ✓History of at least two separate major depressive episodes
- ✓Provider should be queried for: current severity, remission status, presence of psychotic features
- ✓Treatment plan consistent with MDD management
- ✓Current medication list
Commonly Confused Codes
- •F33.0-F33.3: Severity-specific recurrent MDD codes: Use when severity is documented
- •F33.40-F33.42: Recurrent MDD remission codes: Use when in remission
- •F32.9: Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified: Only one prior episode
- •F32.A: Depression, unspecified: Less specific, not confirmed as MDD