ICD-10 Coding for Acute Liver Injury(K76.9, K71.6)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Acute Liver Injury. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Acute Liver Injury
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| K76.9 | Liver disease, unspecified | Use when acute liver injury is present without a specified cause. |
|
| K71.6 | Toxic liver disease with hepatitis | Use when liver injury is due to a specific drug. |
|
Clinical Decision Support
Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.
Key Information: ICD-10 code for acute liver injury
Essential facts and insights about Acute Liver Injury
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for acute liver injury
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- ALT >200 U/L + absence of synthetic dysfunction
Applicable To
- Acute liver injury NOS
Excludes
- Chronic liver disease
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Elevated ALT/AST (>3x ULN)
- Absence of encephalopathy/coagulopathy
Code-Specific Risks
- Misclassification if chronic liver disease is present.
Coding Notes
- Ensure no chronic liver disease is present before using this code.
K71.6 - Toxic liver disease with hepatitis
Use when liver injury is due to a specific drug.
Applicable To
- Drug-induced liver injury
Excludes
- Alcoholic liver disease
Clinical Validation Requirements
- ALT >5x ULN
- Temporal relationship to drug exposure
- RUCAM score ≥6
Coding Notes
Sequence the T-code first, followed by K71.6.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Acute Liver Injury to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K76.9.
Impact
Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient condition., Regulatory: Potential audit failure., Financial: Incorrect billing and reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Verify absence of chronic liver disease., Use appropriate chronic liver disease codes.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment can affect reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.
Mitigation Strategy
Differentiate based on presence of encephalopathy and INR levels.
Impact
Failure to specify drug can lead to audit issues.
Mitigation Strategy
Always document the specific drug and causality assessment.
Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Acute Liver Injury, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Acute Liver Injury
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Acute Liver Injury. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Drug-induced liver injury
Specialty: HepatologyRequired Elements
- Drug name
- Temporal relationship
- RUCAM score
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
Need help with ICD-10 coding for Acute Liver Injury? Ask your questions below.