ICD10BillableValid for clinical use
ICD-10 Code K76.82: Hepatic encephalopathy
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 hepatic encephalopathy 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
K76Other diseases of liver
category
K76.8Other specified diseases of liver
currentK76.8
Official coding notes
Inclusion terms
- Hepatic encephalopathy, NOS
- Hepatic encephalopathy without coma
- Hepatocerebral intoxication
- Portal-systemic encephalopathy
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- acute and subacute hepatic failure with coma (K72.01)
- alcoholic hepatic failure with coma (K70.41)
- chronic hepatic failure with coma (K72.11)
- hepatic failure with coma (K72.91)
Code also
- underlying liver disease, such as:
- acute and subacute hepatic failure without coma (K72.00)
- alcoholic hepatic failure without coma (K70.40)
- chronic hepatic failure without coma (K72.10)
- hepatic failure with toxic liver disease without coma (K71.10)
- hepatic failure without coma (K72.90)
- icterus of newborn (P55-P59)
- postprocedural hepatic failure (K91.82)
- viral hepatitis without hepatic coma (B15.9, B16.1, B16.9, B17.10, B19.10, B19.20, B19.9)
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
Related tests
Liver function tests
Commonly reviewed when assessing liver-related conditions.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
May help assess liver-cell injury in selected liver disorders.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
May help assess liver-cell injury in selected liver disorders.
Coverage-related procedures and services
CPT 74177high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS; WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL(S)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 74176high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 74178high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN AND PELVIS; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL IN ONE OR BOTH BODY REGIONS, FOLLOWED BY CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) AND FURTHER SECTIONS IN ONE OR BOTH BODY REGIONS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 74160high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN; WITH CONTRAST MATERIAL(S)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 74150high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 74170high
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, ABDOMEN; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL, FOLLOWED BY CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) AND FURTHER SECTIONS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
Coding guidelines
Common synonyms
Hepatic encephalopathy
Frequently asked questions
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.