Understanding Postpartum Depression diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment is crucial for healthcare professionals. This resource provides information on PPD ICD-10 codes (F32.0, F33.0), clinical documentation best practices for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and postpartum depression screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Learn about effective postpartum care, DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, and accurate medical coding for insurance reimbursement. Improve your clinical practice and patient care related to postpartum mental health.
Also known as
Mood [affective] disorders
Covers a range of depressive and bipolar conditions including postpartum.
Complications of pregnancy, childbirth
Includes postpartum complications, potentially relevant to depression context.
Postpartum care and examination
Codes related to postpartum checkups where depression may be diagnosed.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the depression onset during pregnancy or within 4 weeks postpartum?
Yes
Is there evidence of psychotic features?
No
Code F32.9 Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified or F33.9 Recurrent depressive disorder, current episode unspecified. Consider Z3A.XX weeks postpartum for additional information.
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Sadness, anxiety, or irritability after childbirth |
| Extreme mood instability after delivery |
| Severe, rare postpartum psychosis |
Coding postpartum depression without specifying onset relative to delivery (e.g., during pregnancy, within 4 weeks postpartum) risks inaccurate severity and reimbursement.
Overlapping symptoms with other conditions (anxiety, adjustment disorder) can lead to inaccurate primary diagnosis coding and missed secondary diagnoses.
Lack of detailed documentation of symptom duration, severity, and functional impairment hinders accurate coding, impacting quality metrics and reimbursement.
Patient presents with symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of postpartum depression (PPD), onset approximately [timeframe] postpartum. The patient reports experiencing persistent low mood, tearfulness, and feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. She describes [specify anhedonia or diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities, e.g., difficulty engaging in childcare, lack of interest in hobbies]. Sleep disturbances are noted, characterized by [specify insomnia or hypersomnia]. Appetite changes are evident, with the patient reporting [specify increased or decreased appetite]. Fatigue and low energy levels are prominent, impacting her ability to perform daily activities. The patient also exhibits symptoms of anxiety, including [specify specific anxiety symptoms, e.g., excessive worrying, irritability, difficulty concentrating]. Suicidal ideation [affirm or deny presence and if affirmed, specify with or without plan]. Homicidal ideation [affirm or deny presence]. The patient's Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score is [insert score], indicating [interpretation of score, e.g., mild, moderate, or severe PPD]. Differential diagnoses considered include adjustment disorder with depressed mood, major depressive disorder, and thyroid dysfunction. A thyroid panel is [ordered or pending results]. Patient's medical and psychiatric history reviewed, including family history of mood disorders. Current medications include [list current medications]. No known drug allergies. The diagnosis of postpartum depression is supported by the patient's clinical presentation and symptom duration. Treatment plan includes initiation of [specify pharmacotherapy, e.g., sertraline, paroxetine] and referral to psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focused on postpartum mental health. Patient education provided regarding postpartum depression, treatment options, and available support resources. Follow-up appointment scheduled in [timeframe] to monitor symptom improvement and medication efficacy. Patient and family encouraged to contact the clinic if symptoms worsen or new concerns arise.