- F39
- Mood Disorders
Unspecified Mood Disorder (F39)
DSM-5-TR: Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder / Unspecified Depressive Disorder
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF30-F39
Overview
This code is used when a mood disorder is clearly present but there is insufficient information to classify it further, or the clinical presentation does not meet full criteria for any specific mood disorder category.
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Affective psychosis NOS
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Unspecified mental disorder (F99)
Australian Clinical Context
F39 should be used sparingly in Australian clinical practice. It is acceptable as an initial or provisional code when assessment is ongoing, but clinicians should aim to specify the diagnosis as more information becomes available. For MBS billing purposes, a more specific code is generally preferred.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Use this code only when the mood disorder cannot be further specified. Review and update the diagnosis when more clinical information is available.
Related Assessment Tools
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Unspecified Mood Disorder (F39).
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Unspecified Mood Disorder (F39).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it appropriate to use F39?
F39 should be used when a mood disturbance is evident but cannot be classified into a specific category — for example, during an initial assessment when the clinical picture is still unclear, or when the presentation has atypical features that do not fit established categories.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
Document sessions for patients with unspecified bipolar and related disorder / unspecified depressive disorder
Grounded Scribe automatically generates clinical notes from your sessions, saving hours of documentation time.
Start Documenting in Minutes. Not Hours.
Free plan. No credit card. Cancel anytime.