Dementia is an umbrella term describing a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory, reasoning, language, or problem-solving. It is sufficient to interfere with daily functioning and independence.
Dementia isn’t a single disease. Rather, it reflects a set of symptoms caused by different underlying conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, vascular brain damage, other neurodegenerative or metabolic causes).
Because dementia can look different depending on cause, severity, and associated symptoms (behavioral changes, mood, psychosis, etc.), medical classification systems have developed codes to standardize how dementia is diagnosed and documented.
One widely used system is the ICD‑10‑CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification), which assigns alphanumeric “ICD 10 codes” to various diagnoses.
Using ICD-10 helps clinicians, researchers, insurance providers, and public-health authorities communicate clearly about dementia, ensuring that severity, features, and complications are consistently recorded.
In this article, we will walk you through the related ICD 10 Code for Dementia. Our focus remains on helping doctors code better and receive complete reimbursements without any delays.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a medical condition marked by a decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It commonly affects memory, thinking, reasoning, judgment, and communication skills. Dementia is not a single disease; instead, it is a broad term used to describe symptoms caused by various underlying disorders that damage brain function.
The condition is usually progressive, with symptoms gradually worsening over time. Early signs may include memory lapses or difficulty performing familiar tasks, while later stages can involve significant loss of independence. Some individuals develop behavioral or psychological symptoms, such as agitation or mood changes, whereas others experience cognitive decline without behavioral disturbance.
Because dementia varies in cause, severity, and presentation, standardized classification systems like ICD-10 are used to ensure accurate diagnosis, documentation, and coding.
Common ICD-10 Dementia Codes (Quick Reference)
To help doctors with medical billing, here is a quick table for all related ICD 10 code for Dementia.
Type of Dementia |
ICD-10 Code |
Description |
| Dementia, unspecified | F03.9 | Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity (non-billable parent code) |
| Unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance | F03.90 | Dementia without behavioral, psychotic, mood, or anxiety disturbances |
| Unspecified dementia with behavioral disturbance | F03.91 | Dementia with behavioral symptoms such as agitation or aggression |
| Unspecified dementia with other behavioral disturbance | F03.918 | Dementia with wandering, disinhibition, or sleep disturbance |
| Mild dementia without behavioral disturbance | F03.A0 | Mild cognitive impairment without behavioral symptoms |
| Mild dementia with behavioral disturbance | F03.A1 | Mild dementia with behavioral symptoms |
| Moderate dementia ICD 10 (without behaviors) | F03.B0 | Moderate cognitive decline without behavioral disturbance |
| Moderate dementia ICD 10 (with behaviors) | F03.B1 | Moderate dementia with behavioral disturbance |
| Severe dementia without behavioral disturbance | F03.C0 | Severe dementia without behavioral symptoms |
| Severe dementia with behavioral disturbance | F03.C1 | Severe dementia with behavioral disturbance |
| Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified | G30.9 | Alzheimer’s disease without further specification |
| Alzheimer’s dementia without behavioral disturbance | F02.80 | Dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease without behavioral disturbance |
| Alzheimer’s dementia with behavioral disturbance | F02.81 | Alzheimer’s dementia with behavioral symptoms |
| Vascular dementia without behavioral disturbance | F01.50 | Dementia due to cerebrovascular disease |
| Vascular dementia with behavioral disturbance | F01.51 | Vascular dementia with behavioral symptoms |
| Senile dementia | R54 | Age-related cognitive decline (not always classified as dementia) |
Key ICD-10 Codes for Dementia
Dementia can appear in different forms, and ICD-10 separates these variations to improve clarity in diagnosis and documentation.
In this section, we break down three key types: unspecified dementia, with behavioral or psychiatric symptoms, and severity level.
Learning how each category is defined and coded helps ensure accurate reporting and supports better clinical decision-making.
1. Unspecified Dementia and the Use of F03 Series
Some dementia cases do not have a clear underlying cause identified (e.g., Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia). In such situations, or when behavioral or psychiatric symptoms are absent, clinicians may use codes under the “unspecified dementia” category. The principal codes include:
- F03.90 — “Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety.”
- F03.9 — The non-billable parent code “Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity.”
F03.90 is the billable, specific code used when a patient exhibits cognitive decline characteristic of dementia, but:
- The underlying cause remains unknown or unspecified, and
- There are no documented behavioral disturbances, psychosis, mood disorders, or anxiety.
Because F03.90 does not specify etiology (e.g., Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy-body, etc.), it is often used as a placeholder, especially early in the diagnosis process or when diagnostic clarity is lacking.
2. When Behavioral or Psychiatric Symptoms Are Present
If a person with dementia exhibits behavioral changes (agitation, aggression, wandering, disinhibition), psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, paranoia), mood disturbances (depression, apathy), or anxiety, additional or alternate ICD-10 codes may apply.
For “unspecified dementia,” these include:
- F03.91 — Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, with behavioral disturbance.
- Sub-codes under F03.91 for more specific behavioral disturbance: e.g., F03.918 (with “other behavioral disturbance,” such as disinhibition, sleep disturbance, wandering).
- Codes for psychotic disturbance (e.g., F03.92), mood disturbance (F03.93), or anxiety (F03.94) when such symptoms accompany dementia.
Thus, the ICD-10 system offers a structured way not only to document “dementia,” but also to indicate whether behavioural/psychiatric features are present, which can influence care planning, treatment, and medical records.
3. Severity Subdivision: Mild, Moderate, Severe Dementia
The ICD-10-CM system also allows for specifying dementia severity (when documented). For “unspecified dementia,” different codes under F03 are designated for mild, moderate, or severe dementia, each with or without behavioral/psychiatric disturbance:
- F03.A0 — Unspecified dementia, mild, without behavioral disturbance.
- F03.B0 — Unspecified dementia, moderate, without behavioral disturbance.
- F03.C0 — Unspecified dementia, severe, without behavioral disturbance.
And their “with behavioral disturbance” counterparts (e.g., F03.A1, F03.B1, F03.C1) exist if behavioral symptoms are present.
This subdivision helps clinicians reflect the progression of dementia, which is important for care planning, prognosis, and potential resource allocation (supportive services, caregiver aid, etc.).
Wait! If your patient is also dealing with ADHD, refer to our article “ADHD ICD 10: Simple Guide to Meaning & Diagnosis”
Meaning and Use of “Dementia Without Behavioral Disturbance”
When a diagnosis is given as “dementia without behavioral disturbance ICD-10” (i.e. F03.90 or a similar variant), it typically implies:
-
Cognitive Decline
The patient shows impairments in memory, reasoning, executive functioning, or other cognitive domains, enough to interfere with daily living.
-
No Major Behavioral or Psychiatric Symptoms
The patient does not exhibit significant agitation, aggression, wandering, hallucinations, delusions, severe depression, anxiety or other mood/psychotic disturbances.
-
No clearly defined etiology or subtype
The dementia is not (yet) classified as Alzheimer’s, vascular, Lewy-body, or other specific subtype; hence the “unspecified dementia” tag.
-
Unspecified severity (unless otherwise coded)
If the code used is F03.90, “unspecified severity” is implied; the coding does not denote mild, moderate, or severe.
Using “dementia without behavioral disturbance” in clinical documentation can be appropriate, especially in earlier or milder stages, or when behavioral symptoms are minimal or absent. It signals that cognitive decline is present but without complicating behavioral comorbidities.
However, because dementia is often progressive, behavioral or psychiatric features may emerge later. In that case, a re-evaluation with a more specific ICD-10 code (e.g. F03.91, F03.918, F03.B1, etc.) may become necessary.
Limitations of “Unspecified Dementia” Codes
While “unspecified dementia ” codes (like F03.90) serve an important role, they have drawbacks and limitations.
1. Lack of clarity on etiology
Because the underlying cause remains unspecified, the code does not guide etiology-dependent treatment or interventions (e.g., Alzheimer’s-specific medications, management of vascular risk factors, etc.).
2. Ambiguity in prognosis
Without subtype or severity information, it is harder to predict disease progression or tailor care.
3. Potential for under-specification
If used inappropriately (e.g., when more diagnostic data is available), “unspecified dementia” codes may obscure important clinical information. Some coding-and-billing professionals and clinics emphasize using the most specific, highest-character ICD-10 code available.
4. May affect access to services
Some support services, treatments, or insurance billing rely on specific dementia diagnoses (Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy-body, etc.). An unspecified code might complicate access or reimbursement.
Thus, “unspecified dementia” is often a placeholder — to be refined as more diagnostic information becomes available.
Other Dementia-Related ICD-10 Codes (Beyond F03)
While unspecified dementia codes cover many cases, there are ICD-10 codes for dementia with known or suspected etiology. Some examples:
- G30.9 — Alzheimer’s disease, unspecified.
- F01.50 — Vascular dementia without behavioral disturbance.
- F02.80 — Dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere, without behavioral disturbance.
These are more specific than “unspecified dementia,” because they attempt to capture the etiology (e.g., Alzheimer’s, vascular, dementia due to other diseases) — which can inform tailored management, prognosis, and therapeutic decisions.
How Severity (“Mild”, “Moderate”, “Severe”) Is Handled
As noted earlier, ICD-10-CM allows dementia severity to be coded — when documented: mild, moderate, or severe — each with or without behavioral/psychiatric symptoms. For example:
- F03.A0 — Mild dementia, without behavioral disturbance.
- F03.B0 — Moderate dementia, without behavioral disturbance.
- F03.C0 — Severe dementia, without behavioral disturbance.
And their “with behavioral disturbance” analogues (F03.A1, F03.B1, F03.C1) exist if appropriate.
Using a severity-specific ICD 10 Code for Dementia can help reflect clinical reality more precisely, which may influence care planning, resource allocation, follow-up frequency, supportive care, caregiver education, and prognosis discussion.
Why “Dementia Without Behavioral Disturbance” Matters
Understanding and documenting dementia without behavioral disturbance is important for several reasons:
1. Accurate clinical record
It distinguishes between purely cognitive decline and dementia with behavioral/psychiatric complications, helping to tailor care plans.
2. Appropriate care planning
Patients without behavioral disturbance may have different care needs (e.g., more cognitive support, memory aids, safety monitoring) than those with agitation, aggression, wandering, etc.
3. Avoiding over-medicalization
Not all dementia cases involve behavioral symptoms; coding “without behavioral disturbance” helps avoid over-diagnosing or over-treating psychiatric or behavioral issues.
4. Baseline for future comparison
It gives a starting point; if behavioral or psychiatric symptoms emerge later, clinicians can update coding and management accordingly.
5. Insurance, billing, and research consistency
Standardized coding across patients and institutions allows for better data collection, epidemiological tracking, reimbursements, and research.
Common Misconceptions & Pitfalls in Dementia Coding
Because dementia does not progress the same way in every patient, and symptoms often overlap between different types, ICD-10 codes are sometimes used incorrectly. In many cases, the exact cause or severity of dementia is not fully evaluated at the time of diagnosis, which can lead to the overuse or misuse of certain dementia codes. Common coding mistakes include:
1. Assigning “Unspecified Dementia” When Etiology is Known
For example, if clinical/neurological evidence suggests probable Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia, using F03.90 (ICD 10 Code for Dementia) may be inaccurate or misleading. In such cases, codes like G30.x (Alzheimer’s) or F01.x (vascular dementia) are more appropriate.
2. Neglecting to Specify Behavioral Symptoms
If a patient has documented agitation, wandering, psychosis, mood or anxiety symptoms, failing to include those may underreport the full clinical picture (and may affect care).
3. Using Non-billable or Parent Codes Incorrectly
For instance, F03.9 (parent non-billable code) should not be used for claims if a more specific, billable code (like F03.90) is available.
4. Not Updating Diagnosis as Condition Evolves
Dementia is often progressive; as cognitive decline worsens or behavioral symptoms emerge, codes should be revised to reflect the current status.
Because coding influences clinical care, billing, research data, and even allocation of support services, accuracy and updates over time matter.
Practical Example: When F03.90 Is Used
Consider an older adult patient who presents with memory problems, difficulty recalling recent events, occasional disorientation in familiar surroundings, and impaired ability to manage money or medications. There is no history of stroke, no signs pointing to a specific neurodegenerative disease, no mood changes, no hallucinations, and no agitation or aggression. Behavioral evaluation is unremarkable. No clear etiology is established yet.
In such a scenario, where the clinician suspects dementia but cannot attribute it to a defined cause and because there is no behavioral or psychiatric disturbance, the diagnosis might be coded as F03.90, unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance. This accurately captures the patient’s cognitive impairment, while leaving open the possibility for future reclassification if more information becomes available (e.g., imaging, neuropsychological testing, follow-up).
If, over time, the patient begins to show behavioral changes, e.g., restlessness, wandering, agitation, the ICD 10 Code for Dementia might be updated to F03.918 (unspecified dementia with other behavioral disturbance) or another appropriate code under F03.x that reflects the change.
Moderate Dementia ICD-10
The term moderate dementia ICD 10 refers to the classification used when a patient’s cognitive impairment has progressed beyond mild decline but has not yet reached a severe stage. In ICD-10-CM, moderate dementia is coded when the provider documents a moderate level of cognitive dysfunction affecting daily activities and independence.
For cases of unspecified dementia, moderate dementia ICD 10 without behavioral disturbance is reported using F03.B0. This code applies when the patient demonstrates moderate cognitive decline without associated behavioral, psychotic, mood, or anxiety disturbances.
When behavioral symptoms such as agitation, aggression, wandering, or disinhibition are present, ICD-10 provides alternate codes under F03.B1, ensuring that the severity and behavioral features are accurately documented. Correct use of moderate dementia ICD 10 coding supports appropriate care planning, clinical monitoring, and medical documentation.
When Dementia with Behavioral Disturbance ICD-10 Is Used
Sometimes dementia is accompanied by behavioral or psychiatric changes, which complicates the clinical picture and often requires more intensive management (medication, supervision, environmental modifications, caregiver support).
In such cases, ICD-10 provides codes such as:
- F03.91 — Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, with behavioral disturbance.
- F03.918 — Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, with other behavioral disturbance (e.g., disinhibition, wandering, sleep disturbance, aggression).
If the dementia is of known etiology (e.g., Alzheimer’s, vascular), then codes under G30.x, F01.x, F02.x, etc. may also be used, together with manifestation codes for behaviors.
Using the correct code ensures that behavioral complications are acknowledged, which may influence treatment decisions, caregiver instructions, safety measures, and long-term care planning.
Also read “ICD-10 Code for Headache (R51.9): Accurate Coding, Examples & Billing Tips”
Why It Matters For Clinicians, Caregivers, Researchers, and Health Systems?
Correct and specific ICD 10 Code for Dementia, whether “without behavioral disturbance,” “unspecified,” or subtype-specific, matters for many stakeholders:
1. Clinicians & Care Teams
Care team and clinicians rely on accurate documentation to tailor care plans, monitor progression, and decide on interventions (medication, therapy, safety, support).
2. Caregivers and Families
They benefit from clarity by knowing whether cognitive decline is the only issue, or whether behavioral/psychiatric symptoms are present or likely to emerge. That helps in planning care, home environment, supervision, and support.
3. Researchers & Public Health Advocates
ICD codes are helpful for researchers and public health advocates to track dementia prevalence, subtype distribution, resource needs, and outcomes. Under- or over-use of “unspecified” codes can affect data quality.
4. Insurance, Billing, and Support Services
Many reimbursements and support allocations depend on accurate diagnostic codes (dementia subtype, severity, behavioral complications). Using non-specific codes when more precise ones are available may jeopardize coverage or access to services.
5. Long-term Care and Policy
Aging populations, demand for caregiver support, memory care services, and resource planning depend on reliable epidemiologic data, which hinges on correct coding.
Hence, while “unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance” (F03.90) is useful, it should not be over-relied on, especially if more information becomes available.
Summary & Core Takeaways
- Dementia is a broad term; ICD-10 provides a structured way to code dementia for clarity, consistency, and communication.
- F03.90 — “Unspecified dementia, unspecified severity, without behavioral disturbance” — is the standard ICD-10-CM code used when dementia is diagnosed, behavioral or psychiatric symptoms are absent, and no specific etiology is identified.
- If behavioral disturbances, psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety, or other psychiatric features are present, other codes (e.g., F03.91, F03.918, F03.92, F03.93, F03.94) should be used to reflect the full clinical picture.
- When severity is documented (mild, moderate, severe), ICD-10-CM allows coding for that, helping tailor care plans and management.
- Using more specific codes (cause, subtype, severity, associated symptoms) is preferable to unspecified codes — whenever diagnostic information is sufficient. Over-reliance on “unspecified dementia” can reduce clarity for treatment, prognosis, caregiver planning, research, and resource allocation.
- For patients with dementia but without behavioral or psychiatric symptoms, “dementia without behavioral disturbance ICD 10” remains a valid, important, and widely used code, but should be revisited over time as the disease evolves.
Closing Thoughts
Dementia remains a complex, multifaceted condition. While ICD-10 coding provides a useful framework for diagnosis, documentation, and communication, it can only reflect the information available at the time of coding.
Using codes like F03.90 for “dementia without behavioral disturbance” is often a pragmatic choice when cognitive decline is evident, but there is no identifiable cause or behavioral symptoms. However, as diagnostic work-up proceeds (imaging, neuropsychological testing, follow-up), clinical classification may become more specific. allowing for better-targeted care, improved prognosis, and individualized support plans.
For families, caregivers, and health-care providers, understanding the difference between “unspecified dementia,” “dementia without behavioral disturbance,” and “dementia with behavioral or psychiatric complications” is key to anticipating care needs, planning for the future, and ensuring dignity and safety for people living with dementia.
Note: If you are finding it difficult to select the correct ICD 10 code for Dementia, our expert medical coding professionals can help you out. Hire Liberty Liens and leave the hard work to us.
