Question 1

What is ICD-10 code K71?

Accepted Answer

K71 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for Toxic liver disease. It belongs to the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the digestive system (k00-k95). K71 is a non-billable header code that organizes more specific child codes; the actual diagnosis on a claim must use one of those children. K71 is part of the FY2026 ICD-10-CM code set published by the CMS National Center for Health Statistics and used on Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial claims in the United States.

Question 2

Is K71 an HCC code?

Accepted Answer

K71 is a non-billable header code, so it cannot itself be a payment HCC. Header codes organize more specific child codes that share the same root concept; one of those children may map to a payment HCC under the CMS-HCC V28 or V24 risk adjustment model. Coders should select a child code from the K71 hierarchy that matches the documented presentation, then check that specific child for HCC status.

Question 3

Is K71 billable?

Accepted Answer

No. K71 is a header (non-billable) ICD-10-CM code. Header codes sit at a higher level of the diagnosis hierarchy and exist to organize a family of more specific child codes. Per ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, a header code cannot be reported on a claim as the diagnosis, coders must select a billable child code from the K71 hierarchy that matches the highest level of specificity supported by the provider's documentation. Payers reject header codes submitted as the primary diagnosis.

Question 4

Which HCC does K71 map to under V28?

Accepted Answer

K71 does not map to a CMS-HCC V28 payment category. Check the current CMS-HCC V28 model file for payment year 2026 rather than an older V24 tip sheet.

Question 5

What does K71 pay in RAF?

Accepted Answer

K71 has no separately stated V28 community RAF weight. If it is not a V28 payment HCC, it adds nothing to a community RAF score.

Question 6

What documentation supports K71?

Accepted Answer

K71 is not a CMS-HCC payment code, so MEAT is not the payment hook. Documentation still has to support the diagnosis if you report it.

HCC Buddy Code Card

K71

Get the V28 RAF + MEAT cheat sheet

What This Code Means

Includes

Excludes 2, Not included here, may code separately

Use Additional Code

Code First

Child Codes

Code Hierarchy

Work K71 in HCC Buddy

K71 ICD-10-CM Code: Toxic liver disease