Nonspecific reactive hepatitis

This code describes inflammation of the liver that is a secondary response to an underlying systemic condition, rather than a primary liver disease. It indicates a reactive process where liver cells are affected by toxins, infections, or other systemic insults, leading to hepatitis-like symptoms without a specific primary hepatic etiology.

Use this code when documentation indicates hepatitis that is not attributed to a specific viral cause, chronic liver disease, or acute/subacute hepatic failure. This often applies to cases where liver enzyme elevations are noted in the context of sepsis, drug reactions, or other systemic inflammatory conditions, and a more specific hepatitis diagnosis has been ruled out.

• Ensure documentation clearly states the hepatitis is "nonspecific" or "reactive" and not due to a primary liver condition.
• Review "Excludes1" notes carefully to avoid co-coding with acute/subacute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis NEC, or viral hepatitis.
• Code any underlying systemic condition (e.g., sepsis, drug toxicity) as the primary diagnosis, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.