ICD-10 Coding for Liver Steatosis(K76.0, K75.81)
Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Liver Steatosis. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.
Also known as:
Related ICD-10 Code Ranges
Complete code families applicable to Liver Steatosis
K70-K77Primary Range
Diseases of liver
This range includes codes for liver diseases, including fatty liver and its complications.
Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code
Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection
| Code | Description | When to Use | Key Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| K76.0 | Fatty liver, not elsewhere classified | Use for simple steatosis without inflammation or fibrosis. |
|
| K75.81 | Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) | Use when biopsy confirms inflammation and fibrosis. |
|
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 hepatic steatosis
Essential facts and insights about Liver Steatosis
Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for liver steatosis
Decision Criteria
clinical Criteria
- Presence of macrovesicular steatosis involving ≥5% hepatocytes
documentation Criteria
- Absence of significant alcohol use (<20g/day)
Applicable To
- Simple steatosis without inflammation
Excludes
- Alcoholic fatty liver (K70.0)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- MRI-PDFF ≥5% fat fraction
- CAP ≥248 dB/m
Code-Specific Risks
- Using unspecified codes like K76.9 instead of K76.0
Coding Notes
- Ensure documentation specifies 'fatty infiltration' or 'steatosis'.
K75.81 - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Use when biopsy confirms inflammation and fibrosis.
Applicable To
- NASH with inflammation and fibrosis
Excludes
- Alcoholic hepatitis (K70.1)
Clinical Validation Requirements
- Biopsy showing inflammation and fibrosis
Coding Notes
Document fibrosis stage per NASH CRN scoring.
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 Liver Steatosis to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K76.0.
Impact
Clinical: Misclassification of liver disease type., Regulatory: Potential audit issues., Financial: Incorrect reimbursement.
Mitigation Strategy
Include alcohol use in patient history., Use standardized intake forms.
Impact
Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Decreased accuracy in health records.
Mitigation Strategy
Require documentation of 'fatty infiltration' or 'steatosis'.
Impact
Inadequate documentation can lead to coding errors.
Mitigation Strategy
Implement EHR prompts for fibrosis documentation.
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 Liver Steatosis, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.
Documentation Templates for Liver Steatosis
Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Liver Steatosis. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.
NASH with obesity and diabetes
Specialty: GastroenterologyRequired Elements
- Biopsy results
- BMI and HbA1c levels
- Alcohol consumption history
Example Documentation
Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation
Poor Documentation Example
Good Documentation Example
Explanation
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