ICD10BillableValid for clinical use

ICD-10 Code K70.9: Alcoholic liver disease, unspecified

K70.9 is a billable ICD-10 diagnosis code used to classify Alcoholic liver disease, unspecified in medical records and claims. You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records. ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).

When is it used?

  • May be used when a clinician documents alcoholic liver disease, unspecified in a patient's medical record.
  • May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
  • This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.

What it does not mean

  • A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
  • A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.

Code hierarchy

chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K70-K77Diseases of liver
category
K70Alcoholic liver disease
currentK70

Where you may see this code

You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.

Related specialists

GastroenterologistGeneral Physician

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
K70.9

Common synonyms

Alcoholic liver disease, unspecifiedAlcoholic liver disease

Frequently asked questions

Code details

CodeK70.9
SystemICD10
Display nameAlcoholic liver disease, unspecified
ChapterDiseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
BlockDiseases of liver

Flags

BillableYes
Valid clinical useYes

Source

SourceICD-10
Version2026-annual
Releaseannual
Year2026

Index terms

Matched terms
Alcohol, alcoholic, alcohol-inducedDamageDisease, diseased

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.

ICD-10 Code K70.9 for Alcoholic liver disease, unspecified | HealthAssure