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Compare/B15 vs K72

B15 vs K72

B15 (Acute hepatitis A) compared with K72 (Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified), from the official CMS tabular data. Both may be reported when both conditions are documented (Excludes2).

Can these codes be reported together?

Yes, when both are documented. K72 carries an Excludes2 note covering B15: “viral hepatitis with hepatic coma (B15-B19)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Yes, when both are documented. K72 carries an Excludes2 note covering B15: “viral hepatitis (B15-B19)”

Excludes2 marks distinct conditions — both may be reported when both are documented.

Side by side

B15Acute hepatitis AK72Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
Billing statusNon-billable header

Report instead: B15.0, B15.9

Non-billable header

Report instead: K72.00, K72.01, K72.10, K72.11, K72.90

ClassificationA00-B99 — Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99)K00-K95 — Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95)
DefinitionAcute hepatitis A is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (B15).Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (K72).
Includes
fulminant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
liver (cell) necrosis with hepatic failure
malignant hepatitis NEC, with hepatic failure
yellow liver atrophy or dystrophy
Use additional code
code, if applicable, for ascites (R18.8)

Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources