The ICD-10-CM code for hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver, is K76.0: fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified.
K76.0 also covers nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If the provider documents that alcohol caused the fatty liver, use K70.0, alcoholic fatty liver, instead. If the fatty liver has progressed to inflammation, documented as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), use K75.81. Fibrosis and cirrhosis have their own codes, and those codes changed on October 1, 2026. When the only finding is abnormal lab results, see our guide to elevated liver enzymes ICD-10 codes.
Do not report K76.0 and K75.81 together. NASH already includes the fatty liver, and K76.0 excludes it. Code the most advanced stage the provider documents.
This guide covers every code in the fatty liver pathway, from simple steatosis to cirrhosis, how the new MASLD and MASH terms map to ICD-10-CM, the new moderate fibrosis code, and the documentation that supports each one.
Key Takeaways
- K76.0 is the code for hepatic steatosis, fatty liver and NAFLD.
- K70.0 is for alcoholic fatty liver. Add an F10.- code for the documented alcohol use.
- K75.81 is for NASH. Do not report it with K76.0.
- Hepatic fibrosis uses K74.00, K74.01, K74.0A or K74.02. K74.0A (moderate fibrosis) is new for dates of service from October 1, 2026.
- The newer terms MASLD and MASH describe the same conditions. They are coded with K76.0 and K75.81.
- Code related conditions, such as diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol, separately.
What Is Hepatic Steatosis?
Hepatic steatosis means fat has built up in the liver cells. It is often found by chance on an ultrasound or CT scan done for another reason. Most cases are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides or alcohol use.
Hepatic steatosis and fatty liver mean the same thing, and both are coded K76.0 unless the provider documents a more specific type. When a radiology report notes steatosis, the treating provider still needs to document the diagnosis before it is coded for their visit.
Fatty Liver ICD-10 Codes
| ICD-10-CM code | Description | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| K76.0 | Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified | Hepatic steatosis, fatty liver, NAFLD or MASLD with no inflammation documented |
| K70.0 | Alcoholic fatty liver | Fatty liver the provider attributes to alcohol |
| K75.81 | Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) | NASH or MASH: fatty liver with inflammation |
| K70.10 | Alcoholic hepatitis without ascites | Alcohol-related liver inflammation, no ascites |
| K70.11 | Alcoholic hepatitis with ascites | Alcohol-related liver inflammation with ascites |
| K76.9 | Liver disease, unspecified | Only when nothing more specific is documented |
MASLD and MASH are new names, not new codes. In 2023, liver societies renamed NAFLD as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and NASH as MASH. The ICD-10-CM code titles still use the older names. Code MASLD with K76.0 and MASH with K75.81, and check the current ICD-10-CM index each October for updates.
Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Codes
Fatty liver can progress to scarring (fibrosis) and then to cirrhosis. Hepatic fibrosis is reported with the K74.0- subcategory. K74.0 on its own is a category and cannot be billed.
| ICD-10-CM code | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| K74.00 | Hepatic fibrosis, unspecified | Fibrosis documented without a stage |
| K74.01 | Hepatic fibrosis, early fibrosis | Early-stage scarring |
| K74.0A | Hepatic fibrosis, moderate fibrosis | New code, effective October 1, 2026 |
| K74.02 | Hepatic fibrosis, advanced fibrosis | Advanced scarring, short of cirrhosis |
| K74.60 | Unspecified cirrhosis of liver | Cirrhosis with no type documented |
| K74.69 | Other cirrhosis of liver | Often reported with K75.81 for NASH cirrhosis; check Coding Clinic |
| K70.2 | Alcoholic fibrosis and sclerosis of liver | Alcohol-related fibrosis |
| K70.30 | Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver without ascites | Alcohol-related cirrhosis |
Do not use K74.0A for dates of service before October 1, 2026. The code did not exist before then, and claims using it for earlier dates will be rejected. For earlier dates, use the code that was valid on the date of service.
Alcoholic vs Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
The cause decides the code family. The provider must document the link to alcohol before an alcoholic liver code is used.
- Check the provider’s statement of cause. “Alcoholic fatty liver” goes to K70.0. “Fatty liver,” “NAFLD” or “hepatic steatosis” with no cause stated goes to K76.0.
- Add the alcohol use code. Category K70 instructs you to add a code for alcohol abuse or dependence (F10.-) when it is documented, such as F10.10 for alcohol abuse, uncomplicated.
- Look for inflammation. NASH goes to K75.81. Alcoholic hepatitis goes to K70.10 or K70.11.
- Look for scarring. Add the fibrosis or cirrhosis code that matches the stage the provider documents.
- Query if the cause is unclear. If drinking is documented but the provider does not link it to the liver disease, ask before coding K70.0.
Related Conditions to Code
Fatty liver usually comes with metabolic conditions. Code each condition the provider documents and manages. These codes also support risk adjustment and medical necessity for follow-up testing.
| Condition | Example ICD-10-CM code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes without complications | E11.9 | Use a more specific E11 code if complications are documented |
| Obesity, class 1, 2 or 3 | E66.811, E66.812, E66.813 | Add the BMI code (Z68.-) when the provider documents BMI |
| Hyperlipidemia, unspecified | E78.5 | Use a more specific E78 code when available |
| Essential hypertension | I10 | Part of metabolic syndrome |
| Elevated liver transaminases | R74.01 | Use only when no diagnosis explains the lab result |
Documentation That Supports the Code
- The diagnosis in the provider’s words: “hepatic steatosis,” “NAFLD,” “NASH” or “alcoholic fatty liver”
- How it was found: ultrasound, CT, MRI, elastography such as FibroScan, or biopsy
- Alcohol use history and whether the provider links it to the liver disease
- Fibrosis stage or cirrhosis, when assessed
- Related conditions, including BMI, diabetes and lipid results
- Liver enzyme results and the plan for monitoring or referral
Elastography and specialist referrals are often reviewed for medical necessity. A specific diagnosis code linked to the test on the claim reduces that risk.
Common Fatty Liver Coding Errors
Billing K74.0. It is a category. Use K74.00, K74.01, K74.0A or K74.02.
Billing K70.1. It is also a category. Use K70.10 or K70.11.
Coding K76.0 with K75.81. NASH includes the fatty liver. Report K75.81 only.
Assuming alcohol is the cause. Without the provider’s documented link, code K76.0, not K70.0.
Coding K76.0 for elevated enzymes alone. Abnormal liver tests without a fatty liver diagnosis are coded R74.01.
Keeping Liver Codes Current as the Disease Progresses
A patient can move from K76.0 to K75.81 to a K74.0- fibrosis code over a few years, and the FY2027 update added K74.0A. Problem lists that carry old codes forward are a common source of rejected or understated claims. Recheck the liver diagnosis at each visit where the provider documents a new elastography, biopsy or imaging result, and update it to the stage now documented.
Hepatology and GI practices: our certified coders review fibrosis staging and October code changes on every claim, and our internal medicine billing team handles follow-up on metabolic liver disease denials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for hepatic steatosis?
The ICD-10-CM code for hepatic steatosis is K76.0, fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified. Use K70.0 instead if the provider documents that alcohol caused it.
What is the ICD-10 code for fatty liver?
Fatty liver is coded K76.0. The same code covers nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Alcoholic fatty liver is K70.0, and NASH is K75.81.
What is the ICD-10 code for MASLD?
MASLD is the newer name for NAFLD and is coded K76.0. MASH, the newer name for NASH, is coded K75.81. The ICD-10-CM code titles still use the older names.
What is the difference between K76.0 and K75.81?
K76.0 is fat in the liver without inflammation. K75.81 is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, where the fat comes with inflammation and liver cell damage. Do not report both on the same claim.
What is the ICD-10 code for liver fibrosis?
Use K74.00 for unspecified fibrosis, K74.01 for early, K74.0A for moderate and K74.02 for advanced fibrosis. K74.0A applies to dates of service from October 1, 2026. Alcoholic fibrosis is K70.2.
Should obesity be coded with fatty liver?
Yes, when the provider documents it. Use E66.811, E66.812 or E66.813 for obesity class 1, 2 or 3, and add the BMI code (Z68.-) when the provider documents BMI.
