Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: What is the appropriate way to code a claim when the physician calls out anxiety as one diagnosis and depression as another? Should they be coded separately, or grouped together?

Montana Subscriber

Answer: If the pediatrician documents depression with anxiety or anxiety depression, then the correct code is 300.4 (Dysthymic disorder). However, if the physician documents depression and anxiety, then you should code for the two conditions separately. Report both 311 (Depressive disorder, not elsewhere classified) and 300.00 (Anxiety state, unspecified).