10ICD Code Hub

K72

Header — not billable

Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified

The ICD-10 code for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified is K72.

K72 is a non-billable header code. It groups related conditions but cannot be used on its own for reimbursement — select one of the 3 more specific codes below.

Clinical notes

Excludes1 (not coded here)

An Excludes1 note is a pure exclusion: the excluded condition and this code should never be reported together, because the two conditions cannot occur at the same time (e.g. a congenital form vs. an acquired form of the same disease).

  • alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4)
  • hepatic failure with toxic liver disease (K71.1-)
  • icterus of newborn (P55-P59)
  • postprocedural hepatic failure (K91.82)

Excludes2 (not included here)

An Excludes2 note means the excluded condition is not part of this one, but a patient can have both at the same time — in that case both codes may be reported together.

  • 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)

Includes

Terms listed here further define or give examples of the conditions grouped under this code — they describe what the code covers, not a separate diagnosis.

  • 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

This code represents an underlying condition. When a related manifestation is also present, coding convention calls for an additional code to be listed after this one.

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

Documentation support

General coding-documentation guidance — not a substitute for payer-specific requirements or professional coding judgment.

Child codes under K72

Related codes in this category