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ICD-10 Guide
ICD-10 CodesK70.30

K70.30

Billable

Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver without ascites

BILLABLE STATUSYes
IMPLEMENTATION DATEOctober 1, 2015
LAST UPDATED09/06/2025

Code Description

ICD-10 K70.30 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis of liver without ascites.

Key Diagnostic Point:

Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver without ascites is a chronic liver disease characterized by the progressive replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue due to excessive alcohol consumption. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort. The liver, anatomically located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, plays a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and synthesis of proteins. As the disease progresses, liver function deteriorates, leading to complications such as portal hypertension and liver failure. Diagnostic considerations include a thorough patient history focusing on alcohol intake, physical examination findings, and laboratory tests such as liver function tests, complete blood count, and imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scans to assess liver structure. Liver biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of fibrosis. Early detection and management are vital to prevent further liver damage and improve patient outcomes.

Code Complexity Analysis

Complexity Rating: Medium

Medium Complexity

Complexity Factors

  • Diagnostic complexity: Requires comprehensive assessment of liver function and history of alcohol use.
  • Treatment complexity: Involves lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and potential referrals for liver transplantation.
  • Documentation requirements: Detailed documentation of alcohol use history and clinical findings is essential.
  • Coding specificity: Requires accurate coding to differentiate from other liver diseases.

Audit Risk Factors

  • Common coding errors: Misclassification of cirrhosis type or failure to document alcohol use history.
  • Documentation gaps: Incomplete patient history or lack of supporting lab results.
  • Billing challenges: Potential denials due to insufficient documentation or incorrect code selection.

Specialty Focus

Medical Specialties

Gastroenterology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Hepatology

Documentation Requirements

Standard ICD-10-CM documentation requirements apply

Common Clinical Scenarios

Various clinical presentations within this specialty area

Billing Considerations

Follow specialty-specific billing guidelines

Related ICD-10 Codes

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

CPT Code

Clinical Scenario

Documentation Requirements

ICD-10 Impact

Diagnostic & Documentation Impact

Enhanced Specificity

ICD-10 Improvements

Alcoholic cirrhosis significantly impacts population health, contributing to morbidity and mortality associated with liver disease. It is a leading cause of liver transplantation and has implications for healthcare utilization, including hospital admissions and outpatient management. Quality measures related to alcohol use screening and intervention can help reduce the incidence of cirrhosis, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment in improving patient outcomes.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10

Alcoholic cirrhosis significantly impacts population health, contributing to morbidity and mortality associated with liver disease. It is a leading cause of liver transplantation and has implications for healthcare utilization, including hospital admissions and outpatient management. Quality measures related to alcohol use screening and intervention can help reduce the incidence of cirrhosis, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment in improving patient outcomes.

Reimbursement & Billing Impact

reimbursement related to liver diseases.

Resources

Clinical References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for K00-K99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Coding & Billing References

  • •
    ICD-10 Official Guidelines for K00-K99
  • •
    Clinical Documentation Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific conditions are covered by K70.30?

K70.30 specifically covers alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver without ascites. It is important to differentiate it from other liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis.

When should K70.30 be used instead of related codes?

K70.30 should be used when the patient has a confirmed diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis without the presence of ascites. If ascites is present, K70.31 should be used instead.

What documentation supports K70.30?

Documentation should include a detailed history of alcohol consumption, clinical findings indicative of cirrhosis, and results from liver function tests and imaging studies. A liver biopsy report may also support the diagnosis.