Bulimia nervosa, unspecified

This code represents an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise. The diagnosis requires that these behaviors occur, on average, at least once a week for three months, and the individual's self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa without further specification of remission status (e.g., partial or full remission). This applies when the patient meets the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa, and the clinician has not specified the current state of the disorder.

• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies partial or full remission; instead, use the more specific codes.
• Ensure the medical record supports both binge eating and compensatory behaviors to justify this diagnosis.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the main reason for the encounter.