Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified (K72) ICD-10-CM
The K72 code range covers hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified with 10 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 6 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2027, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give 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
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, if applicable, for ascites R18.8
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- alcoholic hepatic failure K70.4
- hepatic failure with toxic liver disease K71.1
- icterus of newborn P55 P59
- postprocedural hepatic failure K91.82
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Codes in the K72 Range 10 codes · 6 billable
- K72 Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classifiedNon-billable
- K72.0 Acute and subacute hepatic failureNon-billable
- K72.00 Acute and subacute hepatic failure without coma
- K72.01 Acute and subacute hepatic failure with coma
- K72.1 Chronic hepatic failureNon-billable
- K72.10 Chronic hepatic failure without coma
- K72.11 Chronic hepatic failure with coma
- K72.9 Hepatic failure, unspecifiedNon-billable
- K72.90 Hepatic failure, unspecified without coma
- K72.91 Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K72 range.
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)
About the K72 Code Range
Liver failure means the liver has severely lost its ability to perform its normal functions.
K72 separates acute and subacute failure (K72.0), chronic failure (K72.1), and unspecified failure (K72.9). Each group then separates failure with coma from failure without coma.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K72 range?
Of the 10 codes in this range, 6 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K72 range classify?
The range classifies hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
