2025 ICD-10-CM code K72.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of the liver - Hepatic failure Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Hepatic failure, unspecified;liver's inability to function adequately.
Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
Medical necessity for this code would be supported by the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with hepatic failure, confirmed by laboratory and/or imaging findings. The severity of liver dysfunction and the impact on the patient's overall health would necessitate appropriate medical intervention and justify the diagnosis code.
The clinical responsibility for K72.9 rests with the physician managing the patient's liver disease. This involves diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring, and coordination of care.Specific responsibilities include ordering appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, and consultations when necessary.
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Diseases of the digestive system > Diseases of liver > Hepatic failure
In simple words: This code means the liver isn't working properly.This can happen because of different reasons, like damage from alcohol or other diseases. It can cause symptoms like yellowing of the skin and eyes, swelling in the belly, and confusion.
K72.9, Hepatic failure, unspecified, signifies the liver's failure to perform its essential metabolic functions. This can result from various underlying conditions, including but not limited to cirrhosis, drug-induced liver injury, and inherited metabolic disorders.Clinical presentation may involve jaundice, encephalopathy, ascites, and coagulopathy.Laboratory findings often reveal elevated levels of bilirubin, ammonia, and liver enzymes.
Example 1: A 55-year-old male with a history of alcohol abuse presents with jaundice, ascites, and altered mental status.Laboratory tests reveal elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin, and ammonia.The diagnosis of K72.9 is assigned, along with a code for alcoholic cirrhosis., A 30-year-old female presents with acute liver failure following an overdose of acetaminophen.She exhibits signs of encephalopathy and coagulopathy.K72.9 is used in conjunction with codes for drug-induced liver injury and acute liver failure., A 70-year-old patient with a long history of Hepatitis C develops chronic liver failure.Laboratory results show significant liver dysfunction.The diagnosis of K72.9 is documented along with a code for chronic viral hepatitis.
Complete medical history, physical examination findings,laboratory data (liver function tests, ammonia levels, coagulation studies), imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI), and any relevant specialist consultations should be documented.
** Always code the underlying cause of the hepatic failure if identifiable.This code is for unspecified hepatic failure, so further specificity should be added if possible based on the clinical context.
- Revenue Code: This would depend on the specific services rendered and the place of service. Consult your facility's revenue code mapping.
- RVU: RVUs are not directly associated with ICD-10 codes. RVUs are assigned to procedures (CPT codes), which would be used in conjunction with this diagnosis code for reimbursement calculations.
- Global Days: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes. Global periods apply to surgical procedures (CPT codes).
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Fee Schedule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Office