Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF): Historical Context
The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a historical 0–100 clinician-rated scale used to summarize psychological, social, and occupational functioning. You may encounter a GAF score in older records or a specific referral request. A score is an overall clinical judgment, not an ICD-10-CM diagnosis code or a CPT service code.
This article does not establish a general Help Therapy requirement to assign a GAF score. If a payer or referral source requests one, check its current instructions and use your clinical judgment and documentation. For current diagnoses, use the applicable DSM criteria and ICD-10-CM code, and document functional impairment and progress with measures appropriate to the patient and service.
Questions about a particular referral or documentation request? Contact referrals@helptherapy.com.