What K73 covers · when clinicians use it
ICD-10 code K73 identifies Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified in the U.S. ICD-10-CM clinical and billing record set. It sits within the Digestive System chapter (K00–K95), the section that groups related diagnoses so providers, payers, and public-health agencies report them consistently. Clinicians and medical coders apply K73 when an encounter's findings match the Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified description, attaching it to the patient record so downstream insurance claims, payer audits, quality reporting, and epidemiological surveillance all reference the same standardized diagnosis. The ICD-10-CM is maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, with an updated official code set released each U.S. fiscal year — always verify K73 against the current CMS/CDC release and your payer's documentation guidance before final use. This page summarizes documentation context for K73 and is a coding reference, not clinical, diagnostic, or billing advice.
K73 refers to Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified, a range of liver disorders that include alcohol-related damage, toxin-induced injury, chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. These conditions vary in severity and can lead to life-threatening complications if untreated.
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness – Common in all chronic liver diseases
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) – Seen in hepatic failure (K72), hepatitis (K73), or cirrhosis (K74)
- Abdominal swelling or ascites – Often present in K74 and K76
- Confusion or altered mental status – Indicates hepatic encephalopathy in K72
- Bleeding tendency – Due to reduced liver function or portal hypertension
- History of alcohol or drug exposure – Relevant for K70 and K71
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified includes liver function tests (AST, ALT, bilirubin), imaging (ultrasound, CT), elastography, liver biopsy, and sometimes serologic markers of autoimmune or viral hepatitis. Diagnosis aids in staging liver damage and determining treatment plans.
ICD10 Code Usage
ICD10 code K73 is used by hepatologists, gastroenterologists, internists, and transplant teams. It supports documentation for inpatient care, liver biopsy procedures, medication planning, and eligibility assessments for liver transplant programs.
Related Codes
- K70 – Alcoholic liver disease
- K71 – Toxic liver disease
- K72 – Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
- K74 – Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
- K75 – Other inflammatory liver diseases
- K76 – Other diseases of liver
- K77 – Liver disorders in diseases classified elsewhere
FAQs
Q1: What is ICD10 code K73?
A: It refers to Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified, a liver disease type that may result from alcohol, toxins, chronic inflammation, or underlying systemic conditions.
Q2: What’s the difference between K72 and K74?
A: K72 refers to acute or chronic liver failure, while K74 focuses on fibrosis and cirrhosis without specifying failure.
Q3: Are K70 and K71 reversible?
A: In early stages, yes. Stopping alcohol or removing the toxin can reverse damage, but advanced cases may be irreversible.
Q4: What is included under K75 and K76?
A: K75 includes conditions like autoimmune hepatitis, and K76 includes fatty liver, peliosis hepatis, or congestion-related diseases.
Q5: Who manages these conditions?
A: Liver specialists (hepatologists), GI doctors, internal medicine physicians, and transplant teams in advanced cases.
Conclusion
ICD10 code K73 supports effective diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified, guiding clinical decision-making for liver health and early intervention to prevent liver failure or transplantation.