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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAlcoholic Hepatitis

Alcoholic Hepatitis

ICD-10 Coding for Alcoholic Hepatitis(K70.1, K70.10, K70.11)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYGastroenterology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?
Essential facts and insights about Alcoholic Hepatitis

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Patients typically present with jaundice, hepatomegaly, and abdominal pain.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT), elevated bilirubin levels, and prolonged prothrombin time.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of liver disease such as ascites, spider angiomata, and palmar erythema.
  • Imaging studies like ultrasound may show liver enlargement or fatty infiltration.
  • Severity criteria include the presence of hepatic encephalopathy or significant liver dysfunction.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Medical records must document the patient's history of alcohol use and any relevant liver function tests.
  • Specific terminology such as 'alcoholic hepatitis' must be used to ensure clarity.
  • Examples include documenting the patient's alcohol consumption history and laboratory results supporting the diagnosis.
  • Medical necessity must be established through documentation of symptoms and treatment plans.
  • Quality measures may include tracking liver function tests and patient follow-up.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use K70.1 for alcoholic hepatitis with coma, K70.10 for unspecified alcoholic hepatitis, and K70.11 for alcoholic hepatitis with ascites.
  • Do not use these codes for non-alcoholic liver diseases or acute liver failure unrelated to alcohol.
  • K70 codes are distinct from K73 (chronic hepatitis) and K74 (fibrosis and cirrhosis), which have different clinical implications.
  • Common errors include misclassifying the severity of the condition or failing to document alcohol use history.
  • In complex cases, ensure to document all relevant clinical findings and consider additional codes for complications.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Excludes conditions such as acute viral hepatitis (K71) and chronic hepatitis not related to alcohol.
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include K73 for chronic hepatitis and K74 for cirrhosis.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of the underlying cause of liver disease.
  • Common mistakes include misdiagnosing alcoholic hepatitis when the liver disease is due to other etiologies.
  • Related but distinct conditions include alcoholic cirrhosis (K74.0) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (K76.0).

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
K70.1
Alcoholic hepatitis with coma
K70.10
Alcoholic hepatitis, unspecified
K70.11
Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites
Ancillary Codes
F10.-
R18.8
K70.11
if ascites is present and not specified.
Differential Codes
K75.9
B18.2

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • This diagnosis applies to patients with a history of significant alcohol consumption leading to liver inflammation.
  • Patient populations include adults, particularly those with risk factors such as heavy drinking or a history of liver disease.
  • Clinical settings include inpatient care for acute cases and outpatient follow-up for chronic management.
  • Specialty-specific applications are primarily in gastroenterology and hepatology.
  • Treatment contexts include detoxification, nutritional support, and management of liver complications.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis based on elevated liver enzymes and history of alcohol use.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with alcoholic hepatitis including jaundice and abdominal pain.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by elevated AST and ALT levels and patient history.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for alcoholic hepatitis with nutritional support and monitoring of liver function.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for alcoholic hepatitis including regular liver function tests and assessment of alcohol use.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include a detailed history of alcohol use, clinical findings, and laboratory results.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Alcoholic hepatitis is specifically related to alcohol consumption, unlike viral hepatitis which has different etiologies.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the diagnosis is clearly linked to the treatment provided to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include liver function tests and imaging studies like ultrasound.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking liver function tests and ensuring follow-up care is documented.