Hepatitis C Documentation Guide
Viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus, often progressing to chronic disease.
ICD-10 Codes: B18.2, B17.10, B17.11
Common Symptoms
- Often asymptomatic
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Dark urine
Key Documentation Elements
- HCV genotype
- Viral load (quantitative HCV RNA)
- Fibrosis stage (FIB-4, elastography, or biopsy)
- Treatment history and DAA regimen
- SVR12 status if treated
- Liver complication screening
Documentation Challenges
- Documenting genotype and viral load
- Recording fibrosis staging and treatment eligibility
- Capturing direct-acting antiviral treatment and response
- Tracking sustained virologic response status
Billing Considerations
- Chronic (B18.2) vs acute (B17.10/B17.11) distinction
- Prior authorization documentation for DAA therapy
- Fibrosis stage documentation for treatment justification
- Surveillance billing after SVR
Frequently Asked Questions
How is hepatitis C coded for acute vs chronic infection?
Acute HCV uses B17.10 (without coma) or B17.11 (with coma). Chronic HCV uses B18.2. Scribeable determines the appropriate code based on documented infection timeline and clinical status.
How does Scribeable support HCV treatment documentation?
Scribeable captures genotype, viral load, fibrosis stage, DAA regimen details, and SVR status from your encounter to generate complete HCV management notes with accurate coding.