K70-K77
Medium Complexity
Diseases of liver
Primary Specialty: Gastroenterology
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
ICD-10 Codes (69)
54 billable9 category headers
K71K71.0Billable
K71.1K71.10Billable
K71.11Billable
K71.2Billable
K71.3Billable
K71.4Billable
K71.5K71.50Billable
K71.51Billable
K71.6Billable
K71.7Billable
K71.8Billable
K71.9Billable
K72K72.0K72.00Billable
K72.01Billable
K72.1K72.10Billable
K72.11Billable
K72.9K72.90Billable
K72.91Billable
K73K73.0Billable
K73.1Billable
K73.2Billable
K73.8Billable
K73.9Billable
K74K74.0K74.00Billable
K74.01Billable
K74.02Billable
K74.1Billable
K74.2Billable
K74.3Billable
K74.4Billable
K74.5Billable
K74.6K74.60Billable
K74.69Billable
K75K75.0Billable
K75.1Billable
K75.2Billable
K75.3Billable
K75.4Billable
K75.8K75.81Billable
K75.89Billable
K75.9Billable
K76K76.0Billable
K76.1Billable
K76.2Billable
K76.3Billable
K76.4Billable
K76.5Billable
K76.6Billable
K76.7Billable
K76.8K76.81Billable
K76.82Billable
K76.89Billable
K76.9Billable
K77Billable
Updates & Changes
FY 2026 Updates
Current Year
New Codes (1)
K50.919
Crohn's disease, unspecified, with perianal disease complications
Revised Codes (2)
K51.90
Ulcerative colitis, unspecified, without complications - updated endoscopic severity scoring
K50.90
Crohn's disease, unspecified, without complications - enhanced phenotyping
Deleted Codes
No codes deleted in this range for FY 2026
Historical Changes
- •FY 2025: Routine maintenance updates with minor terminology clarifications
- •FY 2024: Enhanced specificity requirements for certain code ranges
- •FY 2023: Updated documentation guidelines for improved clarity
Upcoming Changes
- •Proposed updates pending review by Coordination and Maintenance Committee
- •Under consideration: Enhanced digital health integration codes
Implementation Guidance
- •Review all FY 2026 updates for K70-K77 codes before implementation
- •Always verify the most current codes in the ICD-10-CM manual
- •Ensure clinical documentation supports the selected diagnosis codes
- +3 more guidance items...
Range Overview
high priority
The ICD-10 category K70-K77 is dedicated to diseases of the liver. This range encompasses a variety of liver conditions, including alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. The codes within this range are used to specify the type of liver disease, its cause, and any associated complications. These codes are crucial for accurate documentation, treatment planning, and reimbursement processes.
Key Usage Points:
- •K70-K77 codes are used for all types of liver diseases, regardless of cause.
- •The codes specify the type of liver disease, its cause, and any associated complications.
- •Some codes within this range are combination codes, encompassing both the disease and its complications.
- •The fifth character in some codes indicates whether the condition is acute, chronic, or unspecified.
- •The sixth character in some codes provides additional detail about the disease or its complications.
Coding Guidelines
When to Use:
- ✓When a patient is diagnosed with a liver disease.
- ✓When a liver disease is a significant factor in a patient's current health status.
- ✓When a liver disease has caused complications that require treatment.
- ✓When a patient's liver disease has progressed or changed in some way.
When NOT to Use:
- ✗When a patient has a history of liver disease but no current diagnosis.
- ✗When a liver disease is suspected but not confirmed.
- ✗When a patient has a liver condition that falls outside the K70-K77 range.
- ✗When a patient's liver disease is not relevant to the current treatment.
Code Exclusions
Always verify exclusions using the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for K70-K77 codes should clearly specify the type of liver disease, its cause, and any associated complications. The documentation should also provide sufficient detail to support the chosen code.
Clinical Information:
- •Type of liver disease
- •Cause of liver disease
- •Presence and type of any complications
- •Acuity of the disease
- •Progression or change in the disease
Supporting Evidence:
- •Lab results
- •Imaging studies
- •Histopathological findings
- •Clinical notes
Good Documentation Example:
Patient diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver with ascites. Lab results show elevated liver enzymes. CT scan confirms cirrhosis and ascites.
Poor Documentation Example:
Patient has liver disease.
Common Documentation Errors:
- âš Not specifying the type of liver disease
- âš Not documenting the cause of the liver disease
- âš Not including information about complications
- âš Not providing enough detail to support the chosen code
Range Statistics
8
Total Codes
54
Billable
Complexity:
Medium
Primary Use:Clinical Documentation
Chapter:11
Coding Complexity
Medium
Complexity Rating
Coding for liver diseases can be moderately complex due to the need to accurately identify the type of disease, its cause, and any associated complications. Additionally, some codes within the K70-K77 range use fifth and sixth characters to provide additional detail, which can add to the complexity.
Key Factors:
- â–¸Determining the specific type of liver disease
- â–¸Identifying the cause of the liver disease
- â–¸Recognizing and coding any associated complications
- â–¸Understanding the use of fifth and sixth characters in some codes
Specialty Focus
K70-K77 codes are primarily used by gastroenterologists and hepatologists. However, they may also be used by other specialists when a liver disease is relevant to a patient's overall health status.
Primary Specialties:
Gastroenterology
60%
Hepatology
30%
Clinical Scenarios:
- • A patient with chronic alcoholic liver disease presenting with ascites.
- • A patient with chronic viral hepatitis who has developed cirrhosis.
- • A patient with acute liver failure due to drug toxicity.
- • A patient with hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to cirrhosis.
Resources & References
Several resources are available to assist with coding for liver diseases. These include the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, clinical reference books, and educational materials from professional coding organizations.
Official Guidelines:
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Coding Guidelines
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Coding Guidelines
Clinical References:
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
- Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease
Educational Materials:
- AAPC ICD-10-CM Training
- AHIMA ICD-10-CM Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Can K70-K77 codes be used for liver diseases caused by conditions outside this range?
Yes, K70-K77 codes can be used for liver diseases caused by conditions outside this range, as long as the disease itself falls within the K70-K77 range.