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ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

K70.4Alcoholic hepatic failure

Not billable — use a more specific code

K70.4 is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself. Choose one of the 2 more specific codes beneath it.

Code unchanged since ICD-10-CM took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-CM release from CDC/NCHS and CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About K70.4

K70.4 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for alcoholic hepatic failure. It belongs to category K70 (alcoholic liver disease), block K70-K77 (diseases of liver) and chapter 11 (diseases of the digestive system). It is a header code, so it can't be reported by itself; one of its 2 subcodes must be used instead.

Within K70 (alcoholic liver disease), K70.4 is specifically for alcoholic hepatic failure. Related codes cover fatty liver (K70.0), hepatitis (K70.1), fibrosis and sclerosis of liver (K70.2), cirrhosis of liver (K70.3) and unspecified (K70.9).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: K70.40 (without coma) and K70.41 (with coma).

Use an additional code to identify: alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-).

It has been part of ICD-10-CM since the code set took effect on October 1, 2015 and hasn't changed since.

Specific codes under K70.4

Coding notes

Applicable toConditions and synonyms classified to this code
  • Acute alcoholic hepatic failure
  • Alcoholic hepatic failure NOS
  • Chronic alcoholic hepatic failure
  • Subacute alcoholic hepatic failure

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to K70.4.

› From K70 Alcoholic liver disease
Use additional code
  • code to identify:
  • alcohol abuse and dependence (F10.-)

Broader instructions also apply from K70-K77 Diseases of liver and Chapter 11: Diseases of the digestive system.

Codes whose notes reference K70.4

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about K70.4

Is K70.4 billable?

No. K70.4 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.