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ICD-10 Coding for Liver Abscess(K75.0)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Liver Abscess. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Hepatic AbscessPyogenic Liver AbscessAmoebic Liver Abscess

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Liver Abscess

K70-K77Primary Range

Diseases of liver

This range includes liver abscesses and other liver diseases.

Certain infectious and parasitic diseases

Includes codes for infectious causes of liver abscess, such as amoebic liver abscess.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for liver abscess

Essential facts and insights about Liver Abscess

The ICD-10 code for liver abscess is K75.0, used for pyogenic liver abscess unless a specific infectious cause is documented.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for liver abscess

Abscess of liver
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Imaging and microbiological confirmation of liver abscess

documentation Criteria

  • Detailed description of abscess characteristics and causative organism

Applicable To

  • Pyogenic liver abscess
  • Hepatic abscess

Excludes

  • Amoebic liver abscess (A06.4)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Imaging showing hypodense lesion with rim enhancement
  • Positive blood cultures
  • CT-guided aspiration confirming abscess

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification with other hepatic lesions
  • Failure to document causative organism

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation specifies the abscess location, size, and causative organism.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Escherichia coli as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere

B96.2
Use when E. coli is identified as the causative organism.

Severe sepsis without septic shock

R65.20
Use when sepsis is present secondary to the liver abscess.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Amoebic liver abscess

A06.4
Use when amoebic serology is positive and bacterial cultures are negative.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Liver Abscess to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code K75.0.

Impact

Clinical: Inadequate treatment targeting, Regulatory: Potential audit issues, Financial: Loss of MCC-related reimbursement

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure microbiological confirmation, Include organism in documentation

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment leading to potential underpayment., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate clinical data representation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use K65.1 for peritoneal abscess.

Impact

Incorrect sepsis coding without SOFA criteria.

Mitigation Strategy

Implement checklist for sepsis documentation.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Liver Abscess, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Liver Abscess

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Liver Abscess. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Radiology Report for Liver Abscess

Specialty: Radiology

Required Elements

  • Imaging modality
  • Lesion size and location
  • Rim enhancement
  • Perilesional edema

Example Documentation

[IMAGING MODALITY] demonstrates a 3.5 cm rim-enhancing lesion in the right hepatic lobe with gas bubbles. Impression: Findings consistent with pyogenic liver abscess.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Liver lesion seen on imaging.
Good Documentation Example
3.5 cm rim-enhancing lesion in right hepatic lobe with gas bubbles, confirmed as abscess via CT-guided aspiration.
Explanation
The good example provides specific imaging findings and confirmation of the abscess.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Liver Abscess? Ask your questions below.

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