K72
Non-Billable (Header)Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
Last updated: FY2026 ICD-10-CM (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026) | CMS-HCC V28 (100% phase-in, PY2026)
What This Code Means
K72 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified. K72 sits in the ICD-10-CM chapter for diseases of the digestive system (k00-k95), within the section covering diseases of liver (k70-k77).
Header codes like K72 cannot be reported on claims directly — they organize child codes that share clinical context but the actual diagnosis must be coded to the highest level of specificity supported by the documentation. Coders should look at K72's child codes and select the one that matches the patient's documented presentation, since payers reject header codes submitted as the primary diagnosis. For risk adjustment workflows, header codes never contribute to a Medicare Advantage member's RAF score on their own; only billable child codes that happen to map to a payment HCC affect risk-adjusted plan payments.
HCC Buddy maintains structured V28 and V24 mapping, RAF weights, and MEAT documentation criteria for K72 sourced directly from the CMS-HCC risk adjustment model files and the CMS ICD-10-CM code set.
Includes
- fulminant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
- liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure
- malignant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
- yellow liver atrophy or dystrophy
Excludes 1 — Do NOT code together
Excludes 2 — Not included here, may code separately
Use Additional Code
- code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)