F40.231 ICD-10-CM

ICD-10-CM code F40.231 describes fear of injections and transfusions. Blood-injection-injury type specific phobia covering needles, injections, and blood draws. It is a billable, specific code valid for claim submission. It is grouped under the “Anxiety, Trauma & Stress-Related Disorders” section of the mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders chapter.

When to use F40.231

Use this group for phobias, panic, generalized anxiety, OCD, PTSD, acute and adjustment disorders, and dissociative and somatic symptom disorders. Match the code to the specific syndrome and document the precipitating trigger where relevant. For F40.231 specifically, blood-injection-injury type specific phobia covering needles, injections, and blood draws.

Documentation & billing

Document the specific syndrome, severity or frequency, and for trauma- or stress-related codes the precipitating event. For somatic symptom and pain disorders, note the psychological factors involved.

Common pitfalls

• Using unspecified anxiety (F41.9) when criteria for a specific disorder are met.
• Coding PTSD under a generic anxiety or stress code.
• Failing to specify the phobia type (animal, situational, or blood-injection-injury).

Common search terms for F40.231

Clinicians often look up F40.231 using plain-language terms. This code maps to:

Frequently asked questions