ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code

K72.9Hepatic failure, unspecified

Not billable — use a more specific code

K72.9 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 K72.9

K72.9 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for hepatic failure, unspecified. It belongs to category K72 (hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified), 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 K72, choose K72.9 (Hepatic failure, unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: acute and subacute hepatic failure (K72.0) and chronic hepatic failure (K72.1).

To report this condition, pick the subcode that matches the documentation: K72.90 (without coma) and K72.91 (with coma).

Use an additional code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8).

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 K72.9

Notes that apply from higher levels

Instructions written at a parent level also apply to K72.9.

› From K72 Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified

Includes

fulminant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure
malignant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
yellow liver atrophy or dystrophy

Excludes1

alcoholic hepatic failure (K70.4)
hepatic failure with toxic liver disease (K71.1-)
icterus of newborn (P55-P59)
postprocedural hepatic failure (K91.82)

Excludes2

hepatic failure complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.8)
hepatic failure complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O26.6-)
viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19)

Use additional code

code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)

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

Code history

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027

FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about K72.9

Is K72.9 billable?: No. K72.9 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.