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    OpenPayerBilling CodesDiseases of liverICD-10-CM k72-hepatic-failure-not-elsewhere-classified
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    ICD-10-CM Code For Hepatic Failure Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code group K72 includes diagnoses for hepatic failure not otherwise specified, covering acute hepatic failure, chronic hepatic failure, and unspecified hepatic failure due to various etiologies. These ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes are used to document levels of liver dysfunction, complications such as hepatic encephalopathy or coagulopathy, and clinical complexity related to liver failure. Accurate coding within the ICD-10-CM K72 group supports proper claim adjudication, complete clinical documentation, and appropriate reimbursement.

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    ICD-10-CM K72: Hepatic Failure, Not Elsewhere Classified Overview

    The ICD-10-CM K72 diagnoses represent acute, chronic, or unspecified hepatic (liver) failure that is not classified elsewhere. These codes target severe liver dysfunction and its systemic consequences. Accurate coding matters for reimbursement because it conveys clinical severity and resource needs for claim adjudication and care coordination.

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    When to Use

    Use a code from this group when clinical documentation indicates hepatic failure that is not assigned to a more specific etiology or category elsewhere in the classification. Codes in this group are appropriate when documentation describes acute liver failure, chronic liver failure, or unspecified liver failure and associated clinical consequences such as encephalopathy or coagulopathy.

    ICD-10-CM Codes

    6 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K72.00Acute and subacute hepatic failure without coma
    K72.01Acute and subacute hepatic failure with coma
    K72.10Chronic hepatic failure without coma
    K72.11Chronic hepatic failure with coma
    K72.90Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma
    K72.91Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma

    DRG Codes

    5 rows

    DRG CodeDescription
    441Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with MCC
    442Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis with CC
    443Disorders of Liver Except Malignancy, Cirrhosis or Alcoholic Hepatitis without CC/MCC
    791Prematurity with Major Problems
    793Full Term Neonate with Major Problems

    Typical Clinical Scenarios

    • An adult with known chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis presents with gradually worsening jaundice, increasing ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, and rising bilirubin over several weeks; outpatient deterioration prompts hospital admission for evaluation and management of decompensated liver function, and a diagnosis from this group is assigned to capture subacute-on-chronic hepatic functional failure. Typical codes: K72.11
    • A previously healthy middle-aged patient arrives to the emergency department with sudden onset confusion, profound jaundice, hypotension, and rapidly progressive elevation of liver enzymes and INR after an acetaminophen overdose; the acute clinical picture with rapidly developing hepatic insufficiency warrants assignment of an acute hepatic failure code. Typical codes: K72.01, K72.00
    • A hospitalized patient with metastatic malignancy and sepsis develops progressive liver dysfunction over days with rising bilirubin, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy as a complication of multiorgan failure; the hepatic failure is documented as an additional complication/comorbidity during the admission to reflect organ system failure secondary to the acute critical illness. Typical codes: K72.90, K72.91

    Related Codes

    K70-ALCOHOLIC-LIVER-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Alcoholic Liver Disease: Group Overview

    K71-TOXIC-LIVER-DISEASE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Toxic Liver Disease: Group Overview

    K73-CHRONIC-HEPATITIS-NOT-ELSEWHERE-CLASSIFIED

    ICD-10-CM Code For Chronic Hepatitis Not Elsewhere Classified: Group Overview

    K74-FIBROSIS-AND-CIRRHOSIS-OF-LIVER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Fibrosis And Cirrhosis Of Liver: Group Overview

    K75-OTHER-INFLAMMATORY-LIVER-DISEASES

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Inflammatory Liver Diseases: Group Overview

    K76-OTHER-DISEASES-OF-LIVER

    ICD-10-CM Code For Other Diseases Of Liver: Group Overview

    K77-LIVER-DISORDERS-IN-DISEASES-CLASSIFIED-ELSEWHERE

    ICD-10-CM Code For Liver Disorders In Diseases Classified Elsewhere: Group Overview

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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