Bipolar disorder, current episode depressed, moderate

This code signifies a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder where the patient is currently experiencing a depressive episode of moderate severity. This involves a distinct period of depressed mood or loss of pleasure, accompanied by several other depressive symptoms, but not meeting the criteria for a severe episode with or without psychotic features.

This code is appropriate when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder and the current presentation is a depressive episode assessed as moderate. Clinicians will typically note symptoms such as persistent sadness, anhedonia, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness, with the severity falling between mild and severe.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "bipolar I disorder" and not bipolar II or cyclothymic disorder.
• Verify the current episode is explicitly identified as "depressed" and the severity as "moderate."
• Differentiate from F31.31 (mild) and F31.30 (unspecified severity) based on the clinician's assessment of symptom impact.