The ICD-10-CM diagnosis code K76.0 is a critical component of medical coding, specifically used to classify Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified. This code is essential for accurate medical billing, statistical tracking, and clinical documentation. As of the 2025 ICD-10-CM update, which took effect on October 1, 2024, K76.0 remains a billable and specific code, indicating its ongoing relevance in medical diagnoses. It is important to note that this is the US version of the ICD-10-CM code, and international versions may have slight variations.
This diagnosis code is primarily applicable to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a condition where there is an excessive buildup of fat in the liver of individuals who drink little to no alcohol. It’s a widespread condition, often linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Understanding K76.0 is crucial because it allows healthcare professionals to accurately categorize and document cases of NAFLD when the fatty liver condition is not attributable to other specific causes that are classified elsewhere in the ICD-10-CM system.
It’s also important to understand the Type 1 Excludes note associated with K76.0. This note signifies that K76.0 should never be used at the same time as a code that is explicitly excluded. In the context of ICD-10-CM, a Type 1 Excludes note indicates conditions that cannot occur together. For K76.0, this exclusion is in place to prevent coding both a general form of fatty liver disease (K76.0) and a more specifically defined or inherently different condition simultaneously. This ensures coding accuracy and prevents ambiguity in patient records and billing processes.
Several approximate synonyms are associated with K76.0, which can aid in understanding and identifying this condition in clinical practice. These include:
- Chronic hepatitis due to fatty liver
- Fatty liver disease
- Fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic
- Hepatitis, chronic, due to fatty liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver
- Steatosis of liver
Clinically, K76.0 refers to the fatty replacement of the hepatic parenchyma that is not attributed to alcohol use. This distinction is vital as it differentiates NAFLD from alcoholic fatty liver disease, which has a different etiology and coding. The use of K76.0 highlights cases where the liver fat accumulation is due to factors other than alcohol, such as metabolic disorders, dietary habits, or other underlying health issues.
Code History shows that K76.0 was introduced in 2016 and has remained unchanged through the 2025 update. This stability indicates that K76.0 is a well-established and consistently used code within the ICD-10-CM system for documenting and classifying nonalcoholic fatty liver conditions. For healthcare providers and coding specialists, familiarity with K76.0 is essential for proper diagnosis coding and ensuring accurate reimbursement claims for services related to fatty liver disease. Remember that for services on or after October 1, 2015, ICD-10-CM codes are mandatory for reimbursement claims, making codes like K76.0 fundamental in the healthcare billing process.
