The ICD-10-CM code for hepatic steatosis is K76.0 (Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified), a billable code reported when fatty change of the liver is documented and not classified elsewhere.
Primary codes
Billable
Billable
Extension
—
7th character
—
POA exempt
No
Inclusion terms
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Type 1 excludes
- nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (K75.81)
Coding risks
- Pairing with a mutually-exclusive code (Excludes-1 violation)
Hierarchy
Code ranges
Other diseases of liver
Covers liver conditions not classified elsewhere, including fatty liver, chronic passive congestion, hepatic infarction, and unspecified liver disorders.
Diseases of liver
Encompasses alcoholic and toxic liver disease, hepatic failure, chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other hepatic disorders.
Alcoholic liver disease
Covers alcohol-induced hepatic conditions including fatty liver, hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatic failure.
Other inflammatory liver diseases
Includes hepatic abscess, phlebitis of portal vein, nonspecific reactive hepatitis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Lipodystrophy, not elsewhere classified
Metabolic disorder involving abnormal fat distribution and metabolism affecting adipose tissue.
Coding risks
Avoid these common coding issues when reporting Hepatic Steatosis.
Impact
Assigning K76.0 without etiology may miscode alcoholic fatty liver (K70.0) or NASH (K75.81) as nonspecific steatosis.
Mitigation
Consider querying the provider when etiology is absent rather than inferring from imaging findings or BMI alone.
Related codes
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.
In pregnancy
Pregnancy-specific O-code adaptations used in place of the primary when the condition occurs during or complicates pregnancy.
Differential codes
Alternative or commonly confused codes to consider when documentation suggests a different condition than the primary diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
No. Simple steatosis (K76.0) and NASH (K75.81) are mutually exclusive; code only the most specific diagnosis the provider documents.
References
Compiled from the following authoritative coding references. Last updated 2026-08-04.