Classifying Internet Gaming Disorder
The International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) may bring about changes in the way internet addiction is discussed, presented and coded. Reports by expert committee members show a discussion around the terms “addiction” and “abuse,” and the possibility of dropping the terms in favor of less pejorative and stigmatizing identifiers such as “dependence” and “harmful use,” according to the thirty-fifth report of the WHO committee. There is speculation that Internet Use and Gaming Disorder will be included in the ICD-11 which is scheduled for release in 2015.
Several countries utilize the ICD-10 for insurance coding and reimbursement purposes and are preparing for the release of ICD-11. The United States lags behind other countries in adopting the ICD-10, as shown be the repeated push back of implementation deadlines. The current deadline for incorporation of ICD-10 in the US is October 1, 2014. If Internet Gaming Disorder becomes a recognized condition in ICD-11, it will be several years before its adoption by US insurance companies and providers as a coverable (or possibly excluded) condition.
UPDATE: It’s official. Internet gaming disorder to be included in 2020 version of ICD-11.
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