What does the code F50.2 indicate?

The code F50.2 is designated to represent Bulimia nervosa, a type of eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives. This coding aligns with the classification used in the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision), which specifies F50.2 for Bulimia nervosa.

Understanding the diagnosis helps in clinical documentation, funding for treatment, and tailoring patient care plans. Accurate coding is crucial for healthcare professionals as it ensures precise communication regarding a patient's condition, which facilitates appropriate treatment and interventions.

Recognizing this code and differentiating it from other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or binge-eating disorder, is essential for medical coders to ensure the integrity of health records and the accuracy of data reporting.