Fatty Liver ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide and learn about fatty liver ICD codes you can use.
Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.
What fatty liver ICD codes can I use?
If you’re looking for fatty liver ICD codes, we’d like you to know that there are only a few that you can select from. Here are six examples of fatty liver-related ICD-10 codes you can use:
- K76.0 - Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified: This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have a fatty liver. This can be used for fatty liver in general or fatty liver caused by certain things that don’t have specific ICD codes.
- K70.0 - Alcoholic fatty liver: This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have a fatty liver due to alcohol consumption.
- O26.619 - Liver and biliary tract disorders in pregnancy, unspecified trimester: This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a female patient confirmed to have liver and biliary tract disorders while pregnant. You can use this if they have a fatty liver due to their pregnancy (which is rare).
- T37.5X5A - Adverse effect of antiviral drugs, initial encounter: This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient with an adverse impact caused by anti-viral medications. You may use this code if the person has a fatty liver due to taking specific medicine. This code also has the initial encounter label, meaning the patient is being treated actively.
- T37.5X5D - Adverse effect of antiviral drugs, subsequent encounter: This is the same as Item 4, but this time, the code has a subsequent encounter label, which means they are in the recovery phase and are still being given routine care.
- T37.5X5S - Adverse effect of antiviral drugs, sequela: This is the same as Item 4, but this time, the code has a sequela label, which means the patient is dealing with the aftereffects of the problem. Two other ICD-10 codes should accompany sequela codes; one should designate the sequela’s nature, while the other should describe the sequela (meaning its effects).
Are these fatty liver ICD codes billable?
Yes. All the aforementioned fatty liver-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information about fatty liver:
Fatty liver is the term healthcare professionals use when referring to a liver with too much fat that builds up over time. Another term for this is liver steatosis.
But isn’t there fat in the liver, to begin with? Yes. There is, but if the fat reaches 5 to 10% of your liver’s weight, that’s not good because it can lead to problems such as your liver becoming swollen/inflamed, which can damage tissues. It can also lead to the emergence of scar tissue (fibrosis), which can replace actual healthy tissues over time (cirrhosis). If there’s too much scar tissue instead of healthy tissue, it can lead to liver failure and cancer.
A person with a fatty liver will likely have the following symptoms:
- They will feel weak, fatigued, and may even feel confused and dizzy
- They will have jaundice
- They will feel pain in the upper right side of their abdomen
- They might have swelling in their abdomen and legs
Synonyms include:
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Steatosis of liver
- Steatosis of the liver caused by retroviral protease inhibitor
- Transient infantile hypertriglyceridemia and hepatosteatosis
Commonly asked questions
NAFLD has its distinct set of ICD codes. The primary code is K76.0, but it's always best to refer to our guide, the latest ICD manual or consult the billing department for more specific diagnosis and billing.
Yes, specific codes differentiate between simple steatosis (fat accumulation) and more severe forms like steatohepatitis. The detailed code can provide insights into the disease's stage, but clinical findings and tests remain the gold standard for assessment.
Lifestyle modifications are essential for fatty liver, primarily non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This includes weight loss through diet and exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and managing underlying conditions like diabetes. Regular monitoring by healthcare professionals is crucial.
