K73.2
BillableChronic active hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 65 — Chronic Hepatitis
0.472V24HCC 29 — Chronic Hepatitis
0.245ESRDHCC 29 — Chronic Hepatitis
0.000What This Code Means
Long-term inflammation of the liver with active, ongoing damage to liver cells, representing a more aggressive form of chronic hepatitis.
Coding Tips
- •Document evidence of active inflammation and hepatocellular necrosis in the medical record
- •This code indicates more severe disease activity than persistent hepatitis and may require closer monitoring
Clinical Significance
Chronic active hepatitis represents an aggressive form of hepatic inflammation with ongoing liver cell damage, requiring careful monitoring for progression to cirrhosis. This diagnosis significantly impacts risk adjustment due to the high potential for complications and the need for intensive medical management.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Confirmation of chronic hepatitis through liver biopsy or imaging
- ✓Evidence of active inflammation with elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
- ✓Duration of hepatitis greater than 6 months
- ✓Exclusion of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related hepatitis, and autoimmune hepatitis
- ✓Documentation of hepatocellular necrosis or bridging necrosis
- ✓Clinical symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, or jaundice
- ✓Laboratory evidence of liver dysfunction (elevated bilirubin, decreased albumin)
- ✓Histological evidence of interface hepatitis or piecemeal necrosis
Commonly Confused Codes
K73.0 — Chronic persistent hepatitis is less aggressive with minimal necrosisK75.4 — Autoimmune hepatitis has specific autoantibody markersB18.2 — Chronic viral hepatitis B requires positive HBV markersK70.1 — Alcoholic hepatitis requires documented alcohol use historyK72.90 — Acute hepatic failure represents acute rather than chronic condition
Code Hierarchy
└K73Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified└K73.2Chronic active hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
└K73.2Chronic active hepatitis, not elsewhere classified