ICD-10 Coding for Alcoholic Steatohepatitis(K70.10, K70.11)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
K70-K77Primary Range
Diseases of liver
This range includes codes for alcoholic liver diseases, including alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| K70.10 | Alcoholic hepatitis without ascites | Use when documentation specifies alcoholic steatohepatitis without ascites. |
|
| K70.11 | Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites | Use when documentation specifies alcoholic steatohepatitis with ascites. |
|
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 alcoholic steatohepatitis
Essential facts and insights about Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for alcoholic steatohepatitis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- AST:ALT ratio ≥2:1 with documented alcohol use
documentation Criteria
- Explicit mention of alcohol use and exclusion of other liver diseases
Applicable To
- Alcoholic steatohepatitis
Excludes
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (K75.81)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- AST:ALT ratio ≥2:1
- AST <300 IU/L
- Documented alcohol use >40g/day (men) or >20g/day (women)
Code-Specific Risks
- Mixing with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis codes
Coding Notes
- Ensure alcohol use is documented and differentiated from nonalcoholic causes.
K70.11 - Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites
Use when documentation specifies alcoholic steatohepatitis with ascites.
Applicable To
- Alcoholic steatohepatitis with ascites
Excludes
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (K75.81)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Presence of ascites confirmed by imaging
- AST:ALT ratio ≥2:1
- Documented alcohol use >40g/day (men) or >20g/day (women)
Coding Notes
Ensure ascites is documented and differentiated from nonalcoholic causes.
Ancillary Codes
Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.
Differential Codes
Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
K75.81Documentation & Coding Risks
Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Alcoholic Steatohepatitis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K70.10.
Impact
Clinical: Leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential loss of reimbursement due to incorrect coding.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement checklists for alcohol use documentation, Regular training on documentation standards
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to improper DRG assignment., Compliance: May result in compliance issues during audits., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of clinical data and patient records.
Mitigation Strategy
Ensure documentation specifies alcohol use and differentiate from nonalcoholic causes.
Impact
Failure to document alcohol use can lead to audit discrepancies.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement thorough documentation protocols for alcohol history.
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 Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
Alcoholic Steatohepatitis with Ascites
Specialty: HepatologyRequired Elements
- Alcohol use history
- AST:ALT ratio
- Imaging findings
- Exclusion of other liver diseases
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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