2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F18.21Inhalant dependence, in remission

ICD-10-CM Codes›F01–F99›F10-F19›F18

ICD-10-CM F18.21
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

F18.21 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for inhalant dependence, in remission. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 894 through 897. Coders also document this condition as glue sniffing dependence. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Mental and substance use disorders in remission.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
F18.21
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Inhalant dependence, in remission
Short Description
Inhalant dependence, in remission
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
F18.2
Inhalant dependence

Code Classification

ChapterF01–F99Mental and behavioural disorders
SectionF10-F19Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use
CategoryF18Inhalant related disorders
This CodeF18.21Inhalant dependence, in remission

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Glue sniffing dependence
  • Glue sniffing dependence in remission
  • Volatile inhalant dependence

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Inhalant use disorder, moderate, in early remission
  • Inhalant use disorder, moderate, in sustained remission
  • Inhalant use disorder, severe, in early remission
  • Inhalant use disorder, severe, in sustained remission

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Dependence(on) (syndrome)
      • drug NEC
        • inhalant
          • in remission
    • Disorder(of)
      • inhalant use
        • moderate or severe
          • in remission (early) (sustained)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR MBD026
Mental and substance use disorders in remission
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Patient EducationClinical

Inhalants

Inhalants are substances that people inhale (breathe in) to get high. There are other substances that people might inhale, such as alcohol. But those are not called inhalants, because they can also be used another way. Inhalants are the substances that you can misuse only by inhaling them.

The full article covers:

  • What are inhalants?
  • What are the types of inhalants?
  • How do people use inhalants?
  • Who uses inhalants?
  • What are the signs that someone is using inhalants?
  • What are the health effects of using inhalants?
  • Are inhalants addictive?
  • Can inhalant misuse be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert F18.21 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
304.63 Drug depend NEC-in rem
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About F18.21Overview

Is F18.21 (Inhalant dependence) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report inhalant dependence, in remission on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does F18.21 group to?

When inhalant dependence, in remission is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 894, 895, 896, 897, with relative weights from 0.6169 to 1.7451 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of F18.21?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, inhalant dependence, in remission converts to ICD-9-CM 304.63 (drug depend NEC-in rem). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic - a chronic condition code indicates a condition lasting 12 months or longer and its effect on the patient based on one or both of the following criteria:

  • The condition results in the need for ongoing intervention with medical products,treatment, services, and special equipment
  • The condition places limitations on self-care, independent living, and social interactions.