B17.11

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

This is a severe form of hepatitis C infection that has developed suddenly and is so serious that it has caused the liver to fail, resulting in a coma (loss of consciousness). This is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention.

Coding Tips

• •This code should only be used when hepatitis C is documented as acute (newly acquired) AND hepatic coma is present; do not use if only acute hepatitis C without coma is documented
• •Hepatic coma (also called hepatic encephalopathy) must be explicitly documented by the physician; verify the clinical documentation supports both the acute hepatitis C diagnosis and the presence of coma before assigning this code

Clinical Significance

Acute hepatitis C with hepatic coma represents fulminant hepatic failure from newly acquired hepatitis C infection, a rare but catastrophic presentation requiring ICU-level care and potential liver transplant evaluation. This is one of the most severe presentations of acute viral hepatitis.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Evidence of acute (newly acquired) hepatitis C infection with seroconversion timeline
• ✓Hepatic coma/hepatic encephalopathy explicitly documented by the provider with staging (West Haven criteria)
• ✓Liver function tests showing acute hepatic failure pattern
• ✓Coagulation studies: INR/PT documenting synthetic function failure
• ✓Level of consciousness assessment and ICU admission documentation

Commonly Confused Codes