F48.2 ICD-10-CM Code: Pseudobulbar affect
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FY 2026 Apr update / Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99) / Anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders (F40-F48)
F48.2
Billable / SpecificICD-10-CMOfficial ICD-10-CMCodebook guidancePseudobulbar affect
Pseudobulbar affect is a condition where a person experiences sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing or crying that are not controlled by their emotions and don't match what they're actually feeling. This neurological condition often occurs after a stroke, brain injury, or with certain neurological diseases like ALS or multiple sclerosis.
CMS-HCC V28
00
RAF 0
CMS-HCC V24
00
RAF 0
ACA/HHS
00
RAF 0
ESRD/PACE
00
RAF 0
RXHCC
00
RAF 0
Code Trumping
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Code Book Path
Inclusion Terms
Official- Involuntary emotional expression disorder
Excludes 2
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 2 notes for F48.2 in this effective period.
Related Child Codes
Includes
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Includes notes for F48.2 in this effective period.
Excludes 1
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Excludes 1 notes for F48.2 in this effective period.
Code First
Official- underlying cause, if known, such as:
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (G12.21)
- multiple sclerosis (G35-)
- sequelae of cerebrovascular disease (I69.-)
- sequelae of traumatic intracranial injury (S06.-)
Use Additional
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Use Additional Code instructions for F48.2 in this effective period.
Code Also
OfficialICD-10-CM does not list Code Also instructions for F48.2 in this effective period.
Buddy Documentation Tip
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM Apr update, Apr 1, 2026 through Sep 30, 2026. CMS-HCC V28 is 100% phased in for payment year 2026.
Is F48.2 an HCC code?
No. F48.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to any HCC category in V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC.
This code does not map to an HCC category in any model (V28, V24, ESRD, RxHCC).
What This Code Means
F48.2 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pseudobulbar affect. Pseudobulbar affect is a condition where a person experiences sudden, involuntary episodes of laughing or crying that are not controlled by their emotions and don't match what they're actually feeling. This neurological condition often occurs after a stroke, brain injury, or with certain neurological diseases like ALS or multiple sclerosis. F48.2 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders (f01-f99), within the section covering anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders (f40-f48).
F48.2 is a billable ICD-10-CM code but does not map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28, V24, ESRD, or RxHCC risk adjustment models. It can be reported on Medicare Advantage encounter data submissions but it does not contribute to a beneficiary's RAF score and therefore does not affect risk-adjusted payments to the plan.
Pseudobulbar affect is distinct from emotional lability or mood disorders—verify the diagnosis specifically states 'pseudobulbar affect' rather than general emotional instability.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for F48.2 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Coding Tips
- •Pseudobulbar affect is distinct from emotional lability or mood disorders—verify the diagnosis specifically states 'pseudobulbar affect' rather than general emotional instability
- •Always investigate and code the underlying cause when present (such as sequelae of stroke, ALS, MS, or other neurological conditions) as these are often the primary drivers of the condition