Person feigning illness

This code identifies an individual who is intentionally fabricating or exaggerating symptoms of a physical or mental illness for secondary gain. The feigning is conscious and deliberate, distinct from unconscious symptom production seen in somatoform disorders. The motivation is typically external, such as avoiding work, obtaining drugs, or seeking financial compensation.

This code is appropriate when a healthcare provider has documented evidence or strong suspicion that a patient is consciously and intentionally presenting false or exaggerated symptoms. This might occur in forensic evaluations, disability assessments, or when a patient's reported symptoms are inconsistent with objective findings and a clear external motivator is identified. It should be used when the primary reason for the encounter is the evaluation of this feigning behavior.

• Requires clear documentation from the provider indicating intentional feigning.
• Distinguish from malingering (which is not a diagnosis but a behavior) and factitious disorder (where the primary gain is internal, not external).
• This is a V-code, indicating a reason for encounter or a factor influencing health status, not a primary disease diagnosis.