Binge eating disorder, moderate

This code signifies a severe eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming an objectively large amount of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of loss of control. Unlike bulimia nervosa, these episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise. The "moderate" specifier indicates the frequency of binge eating episodes, typically 4-7 episodes per week.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of binge eating disorder with a specified severity of "moderate." This diagnosis should be supported by a clinician's assessment, including the frequency of binge eating episodes and the associated distress or impairment. It is appropriate when the patient meets the DSM-5 criteria for binge eating disorder and the frequency of episodes falls within the moderate range.

• Ensure the provider's documentation explicitly states "moderate" severity; otherwise, an unspecified severity code may be more appropriate.
• Differentiate from bulimia nervosa (F50.2) by the absence of recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors.
• Consider co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, and code them separately if documented.