2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K72Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K70-K77›K72

ICD-10-CM K72
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

K72 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as K72.00, K72.01, K72.10, and K72.11.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K72
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
Short Description
Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Chapter
K70-K77
Diseases of liver

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK70-K77Diseases of liver
CategoryK72Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
This CodeK72Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified

Specific Coding for Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classifiedOverview

Non-specific codes like K72 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:

  • K72.0 for Acute and subacute hepatic failure

  • Use K72.00 for Acute and subacute hepatic failure without coma

  • Use K72.01 for Acute and subacute hepatic failure with coma

  • K72.1 for Chronic hepatic failure

  • Use K72.10 for Chronic hepatic failure without coma

  • Use K72.11 for Chronic hepatic failure with coma

  • K72.9 for Hepatic failure, unspecified

  • Use K72.90 for Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma

  • Use K72.91 for Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to K72: its own notes plus those printed at block K70-K77 and Chapter 11. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

  • fulminant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
  • liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure
  • malignant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
  • yellow liver atrophy or dystrophy

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

On K72 itself
  • alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4)
  • hepatic failure with toxic liver disease (K71.1-)
  • icterus of newborn (P55-P59)
  • postprocedural hepatic failure (K91.82)
From Block K70-K77 Diseases of liver applies to 65 codes
  • jaundice NOS (R17)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

On K72 itself
  • hepatic failure complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.8)
  • hepatic failure complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O26.6-)
  • viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19)
From Block K70-K77 Diseases of liver applies to 65 codes
From Chapter 11 (K00-K95) Diseases of the digestive system applies to 863 codes
  • certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
  • certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
  • complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
  • endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
  • injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
  • neoplasms (C00-D49)
  • symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

  • code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name K72, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 2

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming K72: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • K76.2 Central hemorrhagic necrosis of liver
    liver necrosis with hepatic failure (K72.-)
  • R40 Somnolence, stupor and coma
    somnolence, stupor and coma in hepatic failure (K72.-)

Use Additional Code 1

These codes say to use an additional code from the note, and K72 is one of the codes named.

  • M31.11 Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy [HSCT-TMA]
    hepatic failure (K72.-)

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Liver Failure

    severe inability of the liver to perform its normal metabolic functions, as evidenced by severe jaundice and abnormal serum levels of ammonia; bilirubin; alkaline phosphatase; aspartate aminotransferase; lactate dehydrogenases; and albumin/globulin ratio. (blakiston's gould medical dictionary, 4th ed)

Patient EducationClinical

Liver Diseases

Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About K72Overview

What is the ICD-10 code for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified?

K72 is the ICD-10-CM category for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified, but it is a non-billable header: claims need a more specific code from this category, listed on this page.

Is K72 (Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified) a billable code?

No. This is a category header that groups the codes for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified need a more specific code from this category, such as K72.00, K72.01, and K72.10.

Can K72 be reported with K70.4?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note on K72 lists "alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).

Does K72 need an additional code?

When the condition applies, yes. The Use Additional Code note reads: code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8). The additional code is reported after K72.