Find information on diagnosing and documenting Grief, Bereavement, and Complicated Grief in healthcare settings. Learn about clinical criteria, DSM-5 codes (F43.2, F43.20, F43.21, F43.22, F43.23, F43.8), ICD-10 codes (Z63.4), prolonged grief disorder, persistent complex bereavement disorder, and medical coding best practices for accurate reimbursement and patient care related to bereavement and grief reactions. This resource offers guidance for clinicians, healthcare professionals, and coders dealing with loss and grieving patients.
Also known as
Adjustment disorders
Includes prolonged grief disorder and reactions to bereavement.
Problems related to unwanted pregnancy
Covers bereavement related to pregnancy loss or termination.
Counseling related to bereavement
Applies to individuals seeking counseling or therapy for grief.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the grieving due to the death of a loved one?
Yes
Is there prolonged grief disorder?
No
Is there another specific reason for the grieving?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Grieving due to loss |
| Adjustment disorder with depressed mood |
| Major depressive disorder |
Coding unspecified grief (Z71.89) when a more specific code exists (e.g., F43.2X for prolonged grief disorder) leads to underreporting severity.
Miscoding grief as major depressive disorder (F32.XX) or vice versa can skew data and impact appropriate care and resource allocation.
Insufficient documentation of grief symptoms and duration hinders accurate coding and may trigger audits or denials of claims.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with grieving, secondary to [loss type: e.g., death of spouse, job loss, relationship termination]. The patient reports [duration of grief] of [symptoms: e.g., sadness, tearfulness, insomnia, decreased appetite, difficulty concentrating, low energy, feelings of hopelessness, social withdrawal]. Onset of symptoms correlated with [precipitating event/loss]. Patient's bereavement symptoms meet criteria for uncomplicated grief, as per DSM-5 criteria. The patient denies suicidal ideation or intent. Affect is constricted but appropriate to mood. Insight and judgment appear intact. Bereavement counseling and support group participation recommended. Patient education provided on normal grief reactions, coping mechanisms, and available resources. Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe: e.g., two weeks] to monitor symptom progression and adjustment. Differential diagnoses considered include major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood. ICD-10 code Z73.89 (Other specified life management difficulty) and CPT codes 90837 (individual psychotherapy) and 99213 (office visit, level 3) may be applicable depending on the specifics of the encounter. Medical necessity for services documented.