F34.1 ICD-10-CM Code: Dysthymic disorder
F34.1 is not a CMS-HCC payment code. MEAT criteria · RAF Calculator · HCC coding software
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FY 2026 Apr update / Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99) / Mood [affective] disorders (F30-F39)
F34.1
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidanceDysthymic disorder
Dysthymic disorder is a chronic form of depression where a person experiences persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities for at least two years (one year in children). It's less severe than major depression but lasts much longer.
Buddy Insight
Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder) is a chronic form of depression lasting at least 2 years, characterized by a consistently depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not.
CMS-HCC V28
N/A—
Not mapped
CMS-HCC V24
HistoricalHistorical
Not used for CY2026 payment
ACA/HHS
N/A—
Not mapped
ESRD/PACE
N/A—
Not mapped
RXHCC
MappedHCC 132
Code-level coefficient reference
Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
Official- Depressive neurosis
- Depressive personality disorder
- Dysthymia
- Neurotic depression
- Persistent anxiety depression
- Persistent depressive disorder
Excludes 2
Official- anxiety depression (mild or not persistent) (F41.8)
- 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
Excludes 1
OfficialNo Excludes 1 notes are included in this display for F34.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code First
OfficialNo Code First sequencing instructions are included in this display for F34.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Use Additional
OfficialNo Use Additional Code instructions are included in this display for F34.1. Check the code and parent instructions in the Code Book.
Code Also
OfficialNo Code Also instructions are included in this display for F34.1. 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 F34.1 an HCC code?
F34.1 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F34.1 has a separate mapping under the Part D RxHCC model (HCC 132 (Depression)); the applicable result needs member context.
- Code
- F34.1
- Description
- Dysthymic disorder
- 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 F34.1 in the Code Book — tabular path, V28 RAF reference, and MEAT checklist →
MEAT review for F34.1
For F34.1, 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
F34.1 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for dysthymic disorder. Dysthymic disorder is a chronic form of depression where a person experiences persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities for at least two years (one year in children). It's less severe than major depression but lasts much longer. F34.1 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders (f01-f99), within the section covering mood [affective] disorders (f30-f39).
F34.1 has no mapping under the current CMS-HCC V28 community payment model. F34.1 has a separate mapping under 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.
Verify the duration of symptoms meets the minimum threshold (2 years for adults, 1 year for children) before assigning this code.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, source-labeled coefficient references, and MEAT documentation criteria for F34.1 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Verify the duration of symptoms meets the minimum threshold (2 years for adults, 1 year for children) before assigning this code
- •Do not use F34.1 if the patient meets criteria for Major Depressive Disorder; dysthymia is characterized by lower severity but longer duration
Clinical Significance
Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder) is a chronic form of depression lasting at least 2 years, characterized by a consistently depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not. While less severe than major depression at any given point, the chronicity of dysthymia causes substantial cumulative functional impairment and is associated with significant healthcare utilization over time. Dysthymia frequently coexists with major depressive episodes ('double depression').
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Provider documentation of dysthymic disorder or persistent depressive disorder
- ✓Duration of at least 2 years of chronic depressive symptoms (1 year for adolescents)
- ✓Depressed mood most of the day, more days than not, documented
- ✓At least 2 additional depressive symptoms during the period
- ✓Never symptom-free for more than 2 months during the 2-year period
- ✓Symptoms do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode during the initial 2-year period
- ✓Current treatment plan
Excludes 2, Not included here, may code separately
- anxiety depression (mild or not persistent) (F41.8)
Commonly Confused Codes
- •F33.0: Major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild: Episodic rather than chronic depression
- •F32.0: Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild: Episodic, not chronic
- •F34.0: Cyclothymic disorder: Includes hypomanic symptoms, not purely depressive
- •F32.A: Depression, unspecified: Less specific, does not capture the chronic nature