F50.020

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder where a person severely restricts food intake due to an intense fear of gaining weight. In the binge eating/purging type, the person periodically consumes large amounts of food and then uses purging methods (like vomiting or laxatives) to prevent weight gain, with 'mild' indicating less severe symptoms or medical complications.

Coding Tips

• •Verify the severity level (mild, moderate, severe) is documented by the provider, as F50.020 specifically indicates mild severity and cannot be assumed
• •Ensure the binge eating/purging subtype is clearly documented in the clinical record to distinguish from the restrictive type (F50.01x codes)

Clinical Significance

Anorexia nervosa, binge eating/purging type involves episodes of binge eating and/or purging (self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic misuse) in a patient who meets low-weight criteria for anorexia nervosa. Mild severity indicates BMI at or above 17 kg/m2 with binge/purge episodes. This subtype carries additional risks of electrolyte imbalances, esophageal tears, and dental erosion compared to the restricting type.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Documentation of binge eating episodes and/or purging behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics) in the context of low body weight
• ✓Current BMI or weight documenting severity (BMI greater than or equal to 17 kg/m2)
• ✓Distinction from bulimia nervosa (patient must meet low-weight criteria for anorexia nervosa)
• ✓Frequency of binge/purge episodes
• ✓Medical monitoring for purging complications (electrolytes, dental health, esophageal integrity, cardiac status)

Commonly Confused Codes