Back to HomeBeta

ICD-10 Coding for Steatosis of Liver(K76.0, K70.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Steatosis of Liver. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Fatty LiverHepatic SteatosisNon-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Steatosis of Liver

K70-K77Primary Range

Diseases of liver

This range includes codes for various liver diseases, including steatosis, cirrhosis, and hepatitis.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
K76.0Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classifiedUse when fatty liver is confirmed and alcohol is not a contributing factor.
  • Imaging findings such as hyperechoic liver on ultrasound
  • Exclusion of significant alcohol consumption
  • Presence of metabolic risk factors like obesity or diabetes
K70.0Alcoholic fatty liverUse when fatty liver is associated with alcohol consumption.
  • History of significant alcohol consumption
  • AST:ALT ratio >2:1

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 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Essential facts and insights about Steatosis of Liver

The ICD-10 code for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is K76.0, used when alcohol is not a contributing factor.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for steatosis of liver

Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient has fatty liver on imaging and no significant alcohol use.

documentation Criteria

  • Documentation specifies 'non-alcoholic' and includes metabolic risk factors.

Applicable To

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Excludes

  • Alcoholic fatty liver (K70.0)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Imaging findings such as hyperechoic liver on ultrasound
  • Exclusion of significant alcohol consumption
  • Presence of metabolic risk factors like obesity or diabetes

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification with alcoholic liver disease
  • Omission of metabolic comorbidities

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states 'non-alcoholic' to avoid misclassification.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Obesity, unspecified

E66.9
Use when BMI is ≥30 to indicate obesity as a contributing factor.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications

E11.9
Use when diabetes is present as a comorbidity.

Abnormal results of liver function studies

R94.5
Use when liver function tests are abnormal.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Alcoholic fatty liver

K70.0
Presence of significant alcohol consumption history.

Fatty liver, not elsewhere classified

K76.0
Absence of significant alcohol consumption.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Steatosis of Liver to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K76.0.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to incomplete assessment of metabolic risk., Regulatory: Could result in coding audits., Financial: Affects reimbursement linked to obesity-related conditions.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document BMI when coding for NAFLD., Link obesity to liver condition in records.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to denied claims., Compliance: Misclassification may result in compliance issues., Data Quality: Affects the accuracy of patient records and data analytics.

Mitigation Strategy

Use K70.0 when alcohol is a contributing factor.

Impact

Failure to document alcohol use can lead to incorrect coding.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement mandatory alcohol use assessment in patient intake.

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 Steatosis of Liver, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Steatosis of Liver

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Steatosis of Liver. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Primary Care Visit for NAFLD

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Required Elements

  • Patient history including alcohol use
  • BMI and metabolic risk factors
  • Imaging results

Example Documentation

Patient presents with ultrasound-confirmed fatty liver. BMI is 32, HbA1c is 7.2%. No alcohol use reported. Diagnosis: NAFLD (K76.0), obesity (E66.9).

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has fatty liver. Monitor LFTs.
Good Documentation Example
Ultrasound confirms grade 2 hepatic steatosis. BMI 34, HbA1c 6.8%. No alcohol use. Diagnosis: NAFLD (K76.0), obesity (E66.9).
Explanation
The good example provides specific imaging findings, metabolic factors, and excludes alcohol use, supporting the diagnosis.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Steatosis of Liver? Ask your questions below.

Ask about any ICD-10 CM code, or paste a medical note

We build tools for
clinician happiness.

Learn More at Freed.ai
Back to HomeBeta

Built by Freed

Try Freed for free for 7 days.

Learn more