2025 ICD-10-CM code K70
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diseases of the digestive system - Diseases of liver Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Alcoholic liver disease.This code encompasses various stages of liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of service and procedures performed. Consult the current CPT and HCPCS modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity for coding K70 is established by the presence of clinical findings and laboratory evidence consistent with alcoholic liver disease.The severity of the disease and the presence of complications should be documented to justify medical management.Payer-specific guidelines should be consulted.
The clinical responsibility for this code rests with the physician managing the patient's liver disease.This includes diagnosis, staging of the disease, monitoring of liver function, and managing complications.The physician should also address the patient's alcohol abuse through counseling, referral to addiction specialists or support groups, and other interventions.
In simple words: This code is for liver problems caused by drinking too much alcohol. It covers different stages of damage, from fatty liver to cirrhosis (severe scarring). Doctors use this code to show how serious the liver damage is.
K70, Alcoholic liver disease, is an ICD-10-CM code encompassing a spectrum of liver conditions resulting from chronic alcohol abuse.This includes alcoholic fatty liver (K70.0), alcoholic hepatitis (K70.1), alcoholic fibrosis and sclerosis of the liver (K70.2), alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver (K70.3), and alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4).The code may be further specified with additional digits to indicate the presence of ascites or coma, as relevant to the specific clinical presentation.It is crucial to accurately document the stage and severity of liver disease for appropriate coding and reimbursement.
Example 1: A 55-year-old male presents with fatigue, abdominal distension, and jaundice.Laboratory tests reveal elevated liver enzymes and evidence of cirrhosis.A liver biopsy confirms alcoholic cirrhosis (K70.3)., A 40-year-old female with a history of heavy alcohol use is admitted to the hospital with acute alcoholic hepatitis (K70.1). She experiences nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. She is treated with corticosteroids and supportive care., A 60-year-old male with long-standing alcohol abuse develops alcoholic fatty liver disease (K70.0). He is asymptomatic but shows evidence of fatty infiltration on ultrasound. Lifestyle modifications and careful monitoring are recommended.
Thorough history of alcohol consumption, physical examination findings including liver size and tenderness, laboratory results (liver function tests, complete blood count, coagulation studies), imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI), and potentially a liver biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Documentation must justify the severity and stage of the disease to support appropriate code assignment.
** This code should only be used when the liver disease is directly attributable to alcohol abuse.If other etiologies are contributing factors, those should also be coded accordingly.Careful consideration should be given to the specific subtype of alcoholic liver disease to ensure accurate coding.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center