The primary ICD-10-CM code for anxiety is F41.9 (Anxiety disorder, unspecified), a billable code reported when a clinician documents an anxiety disorder without specifying its type or subtype.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Inclusion terms
- Anxiety NOS
Coding risks
- Assigning when documentation supports a more specific code
Hierarchy
Code comparison
Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.
| Code | Description | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| F41.9 | Anxiety disorder, unspecified | Anxiety documented without a specified subtype, panic features, or generalized pattern noted. |
| F41.1 | Generalized anxiety disorder | GAD documented with persistent, excessive worry across multiple areas, without panic episodes or mixed features. |
| F41.0 | Panic disorder [episodic paroxysmal anxiety] | Patient with recurrent unexpected panic attacks documented, without persistent generalized worry. |
| F41.3 | Other mixed anxiety disorders | Patient with anxiety features mixed with other emotional disturbances, not meeting criteria for GAD or panic disorder. |
| F41.8 | Other specified anxiety disorders | Anxiety disorder specified in documentation but not matching GAD, panic, or mixed anxiety categories. |
Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.
Code ranges
Other anxiety disorders
Category covering panic disorder, generalized anxiety, mixed anxiety-depression, other specified, and unspecified anxiety disorders.
Anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders
Sub-chapter grouping neurotic and stress-related conditions including phobias, anxiety, OCD, reaction to stress, and somatoform disorders.
Phobic anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders triggered by specific external situations or objects, including agoraphobia, social phobias, and other specific phobias.
Reaction to severe stress, and adjustment disorders
Disorders arising as a direct response to an identifiable stressor or major life change, including acute stress and adjustment reactions.
Symptoms and signs involving emotional state
Signs and symptoms of emotional disturbance such as nervousness, restlessness, and demoralization without an established mental disorder diagnosis.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Anxiety.
Impact
Assigning F41.9 without explicit subtype may miscode when generalized anxiety disorder (F41.1) or panic disorder (F41.0) is actually supported.
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when subtype is absent rather than inferring from medication class or symptom keywords.
Related codes
Ancillary and co-coding
Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.
Z-code variants
Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.
In pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific O-code adaptations used in place of the primary when the condition occurs during or complicates pregnancy.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Use F41.9 only when the record documents anxiety without specifying the type. Query the provider if generalized, panic, or mixed features are suggested.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.