Specific code 2015 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 309.81
Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • 2015
  • Billable Thru Sept 30/2015
  • Non-Billable On/After Oct 1/2015

  • ICD-9-CM 309.81 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 309.81 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015. For claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, use an equivalent ICD-10-CM code (or codes).
Convert to ICD-10-CM: 309.81 converts approximately to:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM F43.10 Post-traumatic stress disorder, unspecified
    Or:
  • 2015/16 ICD-10-CM F43.12 Post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic
Approximate Synonyms
  • Acute post-trauma stress state
  • Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Chronic post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Concentration camp syndrome
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder, acute
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic
Clinical Information
  • A class of traumatic stress disorders with symptoms that last more than one month. There are various forms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depending on the time of onset and the duration of these stress symptoms. In the acute form, the duration of the symptoms is between 1 to 3 months. In the chronic form, symptoms last more than 3 months. With delayed onset, symptoms develop more than 6 months after the traumatic event
  • Acute, chronic, or delayed reactions to traumatic events such as military combat, assault, or natural disaster
  • An anxiety disorder precipitated by an experience of intense fear or horror while exposed to a traumatic (especially life-threatening) event. The disorder is characterized by intrusive recurring thoughts or images of the traumatic event; avoidance of anything associated with the event; a state of hyperarousal and diminished emotional responsiveness. These symptoms are present for at least one month and the disorder is usually long-term
  • An anxiety disorder that develops in reaction to physical injury or severe mental or emotional distress, such as military combat, violent assault, natural disaster, or other life-threatening events. Having cancer may also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms interfere with day-to-day living and include reliving the event in nightmares or flashbacks; avoiding people, places, and things connected to the event; feeling alone and losing interest in daily activities; and having trouble concentrating and sleeping
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) is a real illness. You can get ptsd after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, rape, physical abuse or a bad accident. Ptsd makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you. Ptsd can cause problems like
    • flashbacks, or feeling like the event is happening again
    • trouble sleeping or nightmares
    • feeling alone
    • angry outbursts
    • feeling worried, guilty or sad
    ptsd starts at different times for different people. Signs of ptsd may start soon after a frightening event and then continue. Other people develop new or more severe signs months or even years later. Ptsd can happen to anyone, even children. Medicines can help you feel less afraid and tense. It might take a few weeks for them to work. Talking to a specially trained doctor or counselor also helps many people with ptsd. This is called talk therapy. nih: national institute of mental health
309.81 Excludes
  • acute stress disorder (308.3)
  • posttraumatic brain syndrome:
Applies To
  • Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Concentration camp syndrome
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder NOS
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
ICD-9-CM Volume 2 Index entries containing back-references to 309.81:
  • Disorder - see also Disease
    • post-traumatic stress (PTSD) 309.81
    • posttraumatic stress 309.81
      • acute 309.81
      • brief 309.81
      • chronic 309.81
    • stress (see also Reaction, stress, acute) 308.3
      • posttraumatic
        • acute 309.81
        • brief 309.81
        • chronic (motor or vocal) 309.81
  • Neurosis, neurotic 300.9
    • posttraumatic (acute) (situational) 309.81
      • chronic 309.81
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 309.81
  • PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) 309.81
ICD-9-CM codes are used in medical billing and coding to describe diseases, injuries, symptoms and conditions. ICD-9-CM 309.81 is one of thousands of ICD-9-CM codes used in healthcare. Although ICD-9-CM and CPT codes are largely numeric, they differ in that CPT codes describe medical procedures and services. Can't find a code? Start at the root of ICD-9-CM, check the 2015 ICD-9-CM Index or use the search engine at the top of this page to lookup any code.