Alcoholic liver damage, unspecified

This code signifies liver damage resulting from chronic alcohol consumption, where the specific type or severity of the damage (e.g., fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis) is not documented. It indicates a direct causal link between alcohol use and liver pathology without further specification.

Use this code when medical record documentation clearly states "alcoholic liver damage" or "alcohol-induced liver disease" without specifying the precise histological or clinical manifestation. This is appropriate when the physician has not yet determined or documented the specific form of liver disease, or when the documentation is vague regarding the exact type of damage.

• Avoid using this code if more specific documentation of alcoholic fatty liver (571.0), alcoholic hepatitis (571.1), or alcoholic cirrhosis (571.2) is available.
• Always query the provider for greater specificity if "alcoholic liver damage" is documented, to allow for more precise coding.
• This code should be sequenced as a primary diagnosis when the liver damage is the principal reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it is a co-morbidity.