ICD-10 Code K70.31 – Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver with ascites (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K70.31 – Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver with ascites
What it is
K70.31 identifies cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol use when ascites is present. Use it for documented alcoholic cirrhosis with fluid buildup in the abdomen.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include signs of chronic liver disease plus abdominal distension from ascites. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation for the cause of cirrhosis and confirmation of ascites.
When to use this code
Use K70.31 when the provider documents alcoholic cirrhosis and ascites together in the same encounter. It fits inpatient, outpatient, and follow-up visits when ascites is part of the active diagnosis. If the record only says cirrhosis or only alcohol-related liver disease, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for cirrhosis without ascites, or for ascites from a nonalcoholic cause. If the documentation does not clearly link the cirrhosis to alcohol, code the documented condition instead.
Coding tip
Confirm both alcohol-related cirrhosis and ascites are documented before assigning K70.31.