Cirrhosis ICD-10 Coding Guide

Also known as

  • Hepatic cirrhosis
  • Cirrhosis of liver
  • Unspecified cirrhosis of liver

The ICD-10-CM code for cirrhosis is K74.60 (Unspecified cirrhosis of liver), a billable code reported when cirrhosis of the liver is documented without further specification of type or underlying cause.

Primary codes

Billable

Billable

Extension

7th character

POA exempt

No

Inclusion terms

  • Cirrhosis (of liver) NOS

Coding risks

  • Assigning when documentation supports a more specific code

Code comparison

Compare key differences between related codes to select the most specific option.

CodeDescriptionScenario
K74.60Unspecified cirrhosis of liverCirrhosis of the liver documented without a specified type or underlying cause.
K74.69Other cirrhosis of liverCirrhosis documented with a specified non-biliary etiology, such as cryptogenic or postnecrotic.
K74.5Biliary cirrhosis, unspecifiedBiliary cirrhosis documented without specifying primary or secondary type.
K74.3Primary biliary cirrhosisPBC confirmed by AMA positivity or biopsy, distinguishing it from unspecified biliary cirrhosis.

Select the most specific code supported by the encounter documentation. More specific codes improve reimbursement accuracy and reduce audit risk.

Code ranges

Coding risks

Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Cirrhosis.

Impact

Assigning K74.60 without documented etiology may miscode when alcoholic (K70.30) or viral (B18-linked) cirrhosis applies.

Mitigation

Consider querying the provider when etiology is absent rather than inferring from lab values or social history.

Ancillary and co-coding

Codes commonly reported with the primary diagnosis on the same claim.

Z-code variants

Family history, personal history, or screening encounter codes related to this condition.

Differential codes

Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions

Use K74.60 only when the etiology is not documented. Alcoholic, toxic, or biliary cirrhosis have dedicated codes that take precedence.

References

Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.

Disclaimer

This page is compiled from authoritative coding references for educational and reference purposes only. It is not medical advice, billing authority, or an official source of ICD-10-CM guidelines. Always verify codes against the current CMS ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, AHIMA guidance, and your organization’s coding policies. ICD-10-CM is updated annually on October 1.