2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R45.3Demoralization and apathy

ICD-10-CM CodesR00–R99R40-R46R45

ICD-10-CM R45.3
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

R45.3 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for demoralization and apathy. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). As a symptom code, it should not be used as a principal diagnosis once a related definitive diagnosis has been established. Coders also document this condition as demoralization. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Symptoms of mental and substance use conditions.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
R45.3
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Demoralization and apathy
Short Description
Demoralization and apathy
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
Symptoms and signs involving emotional state

Code Classification

ChapterR00–R99Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
SectionR40-R46Symptoms and signs involving cognition, perception, emotional state and behavior
CategoryR45Symptoms and signs involving emotional state
This CodeR45.3Demoralization and apathy

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Demoralization
  • Indifference
  • Lack of emotional response

Tabular List NotesGuidance

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

Type 1 Excludes

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.

    • Apathy
    • Demoralization

Clinical ClassificationClinical

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

CCSR SYM008
Symptoms of mental and substance use conditions
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Demoralization

    weakening of hope, courage, or confidence.

Patient EducationClinical

Depression

Depression is more than a feeling of being sad or irritable for a few days. It's a serious mood disorder. As one of the most common mental disorders in the United States, depression can affect how you think, feel, and your everyday life.

The full article covers:

  • What is depression?
  • What are the different types of depression?
  • What causes depression?
  • Who is at risk of depression?
  • What are the symptoms of depression?
  • How is depression diagnosed?
  • What are the treatments for depression?
  • Can depression be prevented?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

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

Convert R45.3 to ICD-9-CMHistory

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

ICD-9-CM
799.25 Demoralization & apathy
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

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 R45.3Overview

Is R45.3 (Symptoms and signs involving emotional state) a billable code?

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

Can R45.3 be a principal diagnosis?

Use it with care. This is a symptom code, so once a definitive diagnosis explaining the demoralization and apathy is established, that condition takes the principal position instead.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of R45.3?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, demoralization and apathy converts to ICD-9-CM 799.25 (demoralization & apathy). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.