Bulimia nervosa, moderate

This code signifies bulimia nervosa characterized by a moderate severity level. Patients exhibit recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise, occurring with a frequency that impacts daily functioning. The "moderate" specifier indicates a specific frequency of compensatory behaviors per week, as defined by diagnostic criteria.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa and specifies a moderate severity. This typically involves 4-7 episodes of inappropriate compensatory behaviors per week. Ensure the physician's notes explicitly support the moderate severity, often based on the frequency of compensatory behaviors.

• Differentiate from anorexia nervosa (F50.0x) and other eating disorders based on the presence of binge-purge cycles without significant underweight.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "moderate" severity or provides sufficient detail (e.g., frequency of compensatory behaviors) to support this level.
• Do not use this code if the severity is mild, severe, or extreme; select the appropriate F50.2x code based on the documented severity.