Anorexia

This code represents a general decrease or loss of appetite, often a symptom of an underlying medical condition rather than a primary eating disorder. It indicates a reduced desire to eat, which can lead to insufficient nutritional intake. This is distinct from psychological conditions where the refusal to eat is driven by body image distortion or other mental health factors.

Use this code when documentation indicates a patient is experiencing a lack of appetite, and the provider has not specified a more definitive diagnosis for the cause. This often occurs in the context of acute illnesses, medication side effects, or as a non-specific symptom requiring further investigation. Documentation should clearly state "anorexia" without further qualification as a primary eating disorder.

• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies anorexia nervosa; refer to the F50.0- series.
• Avoid using this code if the loss of appetite is explicitly stated as being of nonorganic origin, which would direct you to F50.89.
• Always sequence this code after the definitive diagnosis if the anorexia is a symptom of an underlying condition (e.g., cancer, infection).