2025 ICD-10-CM code K72
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Diseases of the liver - Diseases of liver (K70-K77) Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95) Feed
Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified.This encompasses fulminant hepatitis NEC with hepatic failure, liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure, and malignant hepatitis NEC with hepatic failure.
Medical necessity is established by the documented signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings of hepatic failure. The documentation must support the severity and complexity of the condition.
Clinicians should document the underlying cause of hepatic failure, the severity (acute, subacute, chronic), and any associated complications like encephalopathy, ascites, or coagulopathy.
In simple words: Liver failure is a serious condition where the liver stops working properly. It can cause a swollen belly, pain, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), and easy bleeding.
Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified. Includes: fulminant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure; liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure; malignant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure; yellow liver atrophy or dystrophy. Excludes1: alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4); hepatic failure with toxic liver disease (K71.1-); icterus of newborn (P55-P59); postprocedural hepatic failure (K91.82). Excludes2: hepatic failure complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.8); hepatic failure complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O26.6-); viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19).
Example 1: A patient presents with jaundice, ascites, and altered mental status due to rapidly progressing liver failure of unknown etiology. K72 is appropriate., A patient with a history of drug-induced liver injury develops hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy. After ruling out other causes, K72 is used., A patient with a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease develops liver failure with ascites and variceal bleeding in absence of any other clear etiology. K72 is the correct code to be used here.
Documentation should include liver function tests, imaging studies, clinical findings like jaundice, ascites, encephalopathy, and any procedures performed like paracentesis or endoscopic variceal ligation.
- Specialties:Hepatology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, critical care.
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital