Alcoholic liver disease (K70) ICD-10-CM
The K70 code range covers alcoholic liver disease with 13 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 9 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
- code to identify:
- alcohol abuse and dependence F10
Codes in the K70 Range 13 codes · 9 billable
- K70 Alcoholic liver diseaseNon-billable
- K70.0 Alcoholic fatty liver
- K70.1 Alcoholic hepatitisNon-billable
- K70.10 Alcoholic hepatitis without ascites
- K70.11 Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites
- K70.2 Alcoholic fibrosis and sclerosis of liver
- K70.3 Alcoholic cirrhosis of liverNon-billable
- K70.30 Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver without ascites
- K70.31 Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver with ascites
- K70.4 Alcoholic hepatic failureNon-billable
- K70.40 Alcoholic hepatic failure without coma
- K70.41 Alcoholic hepatic failure with coma
- K70.9 Alcoholic liver disease, unspecified
About the K70 Code Range
ICD-10 code K70 covers the range of conditions known collectively as alcoholic liver disease, encompassing various stages and complications caused by excessive alcohol use. These codes are used to identify specific forms of liver damage directly attributable to alcohol consumption.
This code section includes K70.0 for alcoholic fatty liver, sometimes called Zieve's syndrome, which refers to fat accumulation in liver cells due to alcohol. K70.1 and its subcategories identify alcoholic hepatitis, inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol, notable with or without ascites (fluid buildup). The fibrosis and scarring stage are coded under K70.2, linked to terms like hepatic sclerosis or fibrosis caused by alcohol. More severe damage, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, is detailed under K70.3 with specifications for presence or absence of ascites. Acute liver failure resulting from alcohol is covered by K70.4, including cases with coma (hepatic coma). Finally, K70.9 is used when alcoholic liver disease lacks further specification, often involving complications like bleeding esophageal varices. These codes assist healthcare professionals and coders in pinpointing the exact diagnosis related to alcohol-induced liver damage for accurate medical records and treatment planning.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K70 range?
Of the 13 codes in this range, 9 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K70 range classify?
The range classifies alcoholic liver disease. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
