NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) ICD-10 Code: K75.81
Last updated: August 28, 2026
The ICD-10 code for NASH is K75.81 (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). Use K75.81 only when steatohepatitis is documented - simple fatty liver without inflammation codes to K76.0 instead. NASH is increasingly documented as MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis); both map to K75.81.
Primary Code Details
| Code | Description | Billable |
|---|---|---|
| K75.81 | Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) | Yes |
Related Codes
Documentation Requirements
- Documentation must state steatohepatitis (inflammation), not just steatosis or fatty liver
- Note the basis for diagnosis: biopsy, elastography, imaging plus enzymes, or clinical assessment
- Document fibrosis stage if known - it drives risk stratification and supports medical necessity
- Capture metabolic comorbidities (type 2 diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia) as additional codes
- If cirrhosis has developed, document and code it separately (K74.60 or more specific)
Common Coding Scenarios
Documentation:
"Liver biopsy demonstrates steatohepatitis with stage 2 fibrosis. Patient has type 2 diabetes."
Code:
K75.81 - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Rationale:
Biopsy-confirmed steatohepatitis codes to K75.81. Add E11.9 for the diabetes - metabolic comorbidities support the clinical picture and risk adjustment.
Documentation:
"Ultrasound shows hepatic steatosis. Liver enzymes normal. Documented as NAFLD."
Code:
K76.0 - Fatty (change of) liver, not elsewhere classified
Rationale:
NAFLD/steatosis without documented steatohepatitis codes to K76.0, not K75.81. Query the provider if the documentation is ambiguous between NAFLD and NASH.
Documentation:
"Assessment lists metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), FIB-4 elevated."
Code:
K75.81 - Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Rationale:
MASH is the newer nomenclature for the same condition; it indexes to K75.81. No separate ICD-10 code exists for MASH.
Frequently Asked Questions
K75.81 (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). It is a billable code and requires documentation of steatohepatitis - liver inflammation with fatty change - not just fatty liver.
K75.81 is NASH - fatty liver WITH inflammation/hepatocyte injury. K76.0 is fatty liver (NAFLD) WITHOUT documented steatohepatitis. If the note only says fatty liver or steatosis, use K76.0.
MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) codes to K75.81, and MASLD without steatohepatitis codes to K76.0. The terminology changed clinically, but the ICD-10-CM codes have not.
Code both conditions: K75.81 for the NASH and the appropriate cirrhosis code such as K74.60 (unspecified cirrhosis). Sequence based on the reason for the encounter.
Related Resources
Last updated: August 2026. Code data reflects ICD-10-CM 2026 version. This guide is for educational purposes only. Always verify codes against current official guidelines.