Find clear information on steatosis of liver, also known as fatty liver disease. Learn about the diagnosis, clinical documentation requirements for ICD-10-CM code K76.0, and effective healthcare management strategies. This resource covers symptoms, causes, and treatment options for hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Explore details on liver function tests (LFTs), imaging studies, and pathology reports related to fatty liver. Understand the importance of accurate medical coding and billing for steatosis, including relevant SNOMED CT codes.
Also known as
Other specified liver diseases
Includes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Fatty liver, not elsewhere classified
Covers unspecified fatty change of the liver.
Diseases of liver
Encompasses various liver conditions, including steatosis.
Other disorders of mineral metabolism
May be relevant in cases of steatosis linked to metabolic issues.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the steatosis alcoholic?
Yes
Is fibrosis/cirrhosis present?
No
Is it due to a drug/toxin?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Fatty liver disease |
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) |
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) |
Coding K76.0 without specifying alcoholic vs. nonalcoholic (K70.0, K75.8) when documentation allows leads to inaccurate reporting and potential DRG misclassification.
Failing to document the underlying cause of steatosis (e.g., alcohol, metabolic syndrome) impacts coding specificity, quality metrics, and care planning.
Incorrectly coding NASH as simple steatosis or vice-versa, especially with concurrent conditions like diabetes/obesity, affects reimbursement and risk adjustment.
Patient presents with suspected hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease. Clinical findings suggest nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the most likely etiology, given the absence of significant alcohol consumption reported. The patient denies excessive alcohol intake, defined as more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Relevant symptoms include fatigue and right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort. Physical examination revealed mild hepatomegaly. Laboratory results show elevated liver enzymes, specifically alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), with an ASTALT ratio less than 1. Imaging studies, including an abdominal ultrasound, demonstrate increased echogenicity consistent with fatty infiltration of the liver. Differential diagnoses considered include alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), hepatitis, and metabolic syndrome. Given the patient's history and clinical picture, NAFLD is the primary diagnosis. Treatment plan focuses on lifestyle modifications, including weight loss through diet and exercise, to address the underlying metabolic dysfunction. Patient education regarding the importance of a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and avoidance of hepatotoxic substances was provided. Follow-up appointment scheduled to monitor liver enzyme levels and assess treatment response. ICD-10 code K76.0, unspecified fatty liver, assigned. CPT code 99213 for the established patient office visit with a low level of medical decision making is documented. The patient demonstrates understanding of the diagnosis and treatment plan.