---
title: "Psych News Alert: APA Answers Insurance-Related Questions About DSM-5"
description: "Today, APA posted questions and answers regarding the insurance implications of DSM-5. One frequent question, for example, is: When can DSM-..."
image: https://alert.psychnews.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DSM_5_white-Jun-24-2025-10-27-10-8047-PM.jpg
---

 4/15/13 12:00 AM

# APA Answers Insurance-Related Questions About DSM-5

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Today, APA posted questions and answers regarding the insurance implications of *DSM-5. *One frequent question, for example, is: When can *DSM-5 *be used for insurance purposes? The answer is the following: "Since *DSM-5 *is completely compatible with the HIPAA-approved *ICD-9-CM* coding system now in use by insurance companies, the revised  criteria for mental disorders can be used immediately for diagnosing mental disorders when it is released in May 2013. However, the change in format from a multiaxial system in *DSM-IV-TR *may result in a brief delay while insurance companies update their claim forms and reporting procedures to accommodate *DSM-5 *changes."

Another common question is: How are *DSM-5 *and *ICD *related? Here is the answer: "*DSM-5 *and the *ICD *should be thought of as companion publications. *DSM-5 *contains the most up-to-date criteria for diagnosing mental disorders, along with extensive descriptive text, providing a common language for clinicians to communicate about their patients. The *ICD *contains the code numbers used in *DSM-5 *and all of medicine, needed for insurance reimbursement and for monitoring of morbidity and mortality statistics by national and international health agencies..."

Yet a third frequent inquiry is: Can clinicians continue to use the *DSM-IV-TR *diagnostic criteria? The answer is: "Clinicians may use *DSM-5 *in their practices starting in May, when the manual is released. However, there may be brief delays while insurance companies update their claim forms and reporting procedures to accommodate *DSM-5 *changes, and clinicians should use *DSM-IV-TR *diagnoses and codes when required by a specific company. Transition details are still being developed with CDC-NCHS, CMS, and private insurance agencies. APA is working with these groups with the expectation that a transition to *DSM-5 *by the insurance industry can be made by December 31, 2013."

To read all the questions and answers that have been posted on the subject, visit this [link](https://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.psychiatry.org/File%2520Library/Practice/DSM/DSM-5/Insurance-Implications-of-DSM-5.pdf&ct=ga&cad=CAcQAhgAIAEoBDAAOABA84aiiwVIAVgAYgVlb1VUw&cd=Ok20arROBik&usg=AFQjCNEMF9FRJpDuZjVexoef69vfcAte3ow).

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