Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Look to Code Trio for Agoraphobia Dx

Question: Is agoraphobia considered a social phobia? We are debating the diagnosis codes to use for this patient.

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: Per ICD-10, agoraphobia is part of the F40.- (Phobic anxiety disorders) code set—but it is not considered a social phobia.

Report agoraphobia with one of the following codes, depending on patient specifics:

  • F40.00 (Agoraphobia, unspecified)
  • F40.01 (Agoraphobia with panic disorder)
  • F40.02 (Agoraphobia without panic disorder)

Social phobia breakdown: You’ll report social phobias with F40.1 (Social phobias). The code book lists these conditions as social phobias and, thus, codeable with F40.1:

  • Anthropophobia
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder of childhood
  • Social neurosis.