ICD-10 Code K74.01 – Hepatic fibrosis, early fibrosis (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K74.01 – Hepatic fibrosis, early fibrosis
What it is
K74.01 identifies early-stage fibrosis of the liver, meaning mild scarring has begun in hepatic tissue. It is used when documentation specifically states early fibrosis rather than cirrhosis or advanced liver scarring.
Clinical signs
Clinical features may be subtle or absent in early disease. Documentation may note imaging, biopsy, or specialist assessment showing mild hepatic scarring; if uncertain, clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use K74.01 when the provider documents early hepatic fibrosis, mild liver scarring, or a comparable stage-based diagnosis. It may appear in workups for chronic liver disease when fibrosis is identified but cirrhosis is not documented.
Code it only when the record supports fibrosis as the current diagnosis. If the chart says liver disease, scarring, or abnormal imaging without staging, check documentation before assigning this code.
Do not use for
Do not use K74.01 for cirrhosis, advanced fibrosis, or nonspecific abnormal liver tests. If the note does not clearly identify early fibrosis, check documentation.
Coding tip
Assign this code only when “early fibrosis” is explicitly documented or clearly supported by the report.