Is K72 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

No. K72 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.

Where does K72 sit in the tabular list?

Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Diseases of liver (K70-K77).

What cannot be coded together with K72?

K72 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.

K72

K72 — Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified

Non-billable headerICD-10-CM

K72 is a non-billable header ICD-10-CM code for hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified. It cannot be billed on its own: choose one of the more specific child codes below.

Excludes1 — never code together

These conditions cannot occur together. Billing both on the same encounter is a denial.

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

Excludes2 — not included here, but may coexist

The excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient can have both. You may code both.

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

Add a secondary code to capture the detail described below.

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

Includes

Conditions this code covers.

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

Other codes that can never be billed with K72

These codes carry an Excludes1 note pointing at K72. The conflict binds both ways, but ICD-10-CM only writes it down on one side — so you would not find this by reading K72 alone.

R40Somnolence, stupor and coma
K75.2Nonspecific reactive hepatitis
K75.3Granulomatous hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
K75.9Inflammatory liver disease, unspecified
K76.2Central hemorrhagic necrosis of liver
K76.82Hepatic encephalopathy

Risk adjustment

K72 does not map to an HCC and does not risk-adjust under CMS-HCC V28. That is normal — most ICD-10 codes do not. It still needs to be coded correctly; it just will not move a RAF score.

Code to one of these instead K72

3 child codes. Green means billable.

Questions about K72

Is K72 a billable ICD-10-CM code?: No. K72 is a non-billable header code. Code to a higher level of specificity using one of its child codes.
Where does K72 sit in the tabular list?: Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95), in the block Diseases of liver (K70-K77).
What cannot be coded together with K72?: K72 carries an Excludes1 note, which means the conditions it lists can never be coded together with it on the same encounter.