Q&A: Determining the ICD-10-CM hierarchy for substance use, abuse, and dependence

Article Overview

This article addresses a coding question about documentation that references substance use-related terms for the same substance and discusses how ICD-10-CM hierarchy guidance is applied in general. It is aimed at coders and compliance-focused readers who need to interpret provider documentation within the ICD-10-CM guidelines for behavioral health and substance-related conditions. The piece also notes the importance of reviewing the full chart and querying the provider when documentation is unclear.