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I49.3
ICD-10-CM
Premature Ventricular Complex

Understanding Premature Ventricular Complexes (PVCs): Find information on PVC diagnosis, documentation, and medical coding. Learn about ECG findings in PVCs, including ventricular ectopy and its clinical significance. Explore resources for appropriate ICD-10 codes for PVCs and other related cardiac arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular contractions. This guide covers healthcare provider resources for accurate clinical documentation of PVCs and best practices for patient care.

Also known as

PVC
Ventricular Premature Beat
Ventricular Extrasystole

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Extra heartbeats originating in the ventricles, often felt as a skipped beat or palpitation.
  • Clinical Signs : Usually asymptomatic, but can cause palpitations, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
  • Common Settings : Detected on ECG during routine checkups, stress tests, or after symptoms like palpitations.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC I49.3 Coding
I49.3

Premature ventricular contractions

Irregular heartbeat originating in the ventricles.

I47.9

Ventricular tachycardia, unspecified

Rapid heartbeat originating in the ventricles, type unspecified.

I49.8

Other specified cardiac arrhythmias

Includes other specified irregular heartbeats not classified elsewhere.

R00.2

Palpitations

Sensation of an abnormally fast or irregular heartbeat.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the PVC asymptomatic?

  • Yes

    Code I49.3 (Ventricular premature beats)

  • No

    Does PVC cause symptoms?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Premature heartbeats originating in ventricles
Atrial fibrillation
Ventricular tachycardia

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document PVC frequency (e.g., occasional, frequent, bigeminy, trigeminy)
  • Describe PVC morphology (e.g., uniform, multiform)
  • Document any symptoms associated with PVCs (e.g., palpitations, dizziness)
  • Note presence or absence of underlying heart disease
  • Document ECG findings confirming premature ventricular complexes

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified PVC Coding

    Using unspecified codes (e.g., R74.89) when more specific documentation supports a more precise PVC diagnosis code, impacting reimbursement.

  • Atrial vs. Ventricular

    Misidentification of premature atrial complexes (PACs) as PVCs or vice-versa, leading to inaccurate coding (I49.4 vs. I49.3) and skewed quality data.

  • Frequency Documentation

    Insufficient documentation of PVC frequency (e.g., occasional, frequent, multifocal) hindering accurate coding and potentially triggering audits.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Document PVC frequency, morphology, and symptoms for accurate ICD-10 coding (I49.3).
  • Correlate ECG findings with patient symptoms to support R56.8 diagnosis and avoid denials.
  • Ensure CDI aligns documentation with AHA/ACC guidelines for PVC management and risk stratification.
  • Query physicians for clarification on PVC etiology and treatment plan for compliant billing.
  • Regularly audit PVC documentation for completeness and accuracy to optimize reimbursement.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Review ECG for wide QRS complex premature beats
  • Assess symptoms palpitations dizziness or syncope
  • Rule out other causes of wide QRS tachycardia
  • Document PVC morphology frequency and burden
  • Evaluate risk factors e.g. heart disease electrolytes

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Premature Ventricular Complex reimbursement hinges on accurate coding (ICD-10 I49.3) and documentation of frequency, symptoms, and treatment.
  • Quality metrics impacted: Appropriate use of Holter monitoring, timely cardiology referral, patient education on lifestyle modifications.
  • Coding accuracy directly affects PVC reimbursement rates and avoids claim denials. Proper documentation supports medical necessity.
  • Hospital reporting on PVC prevalence influences resource allocation and quality improvement initiatives for cardiac care.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Document PVC frequency/symptoms
  • Code underlying heart disease
  • Specify monomorphic/polymorphic PVCs
  • Consider 427.69 for unspecified PVCs
  • Check documentation for couplets/bigeminy

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints suggestive of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs).  Symptoms reported include palpitations, skipped beats, or a fluttering sensation in the chest.  On physical examination, the patient's vital signs were stable.  Cardiac auscultation revealed occasional irregular heartbeats consistent with premature ventricular contractions.  A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) confirmed the diagnosis of premature ventricular complex, demonstrating characteristic wide QRS complexes with abnormal morphology and compensatory pauses.  The patient denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or syncope.  Medical history includes hypertension well-controlled with medication.  Family history is significant for coronary artery disease.  The patient's current medications include lisinopril.  Assessment: Premature ventricular contractions, likely benign.  Plan:  Given the patient's stable presentation and asymptomatic nature of the PVCs, no specific treatment is indicated at this time.  Lifestyle modifications, including stress reduction techniques and avoidance of caffeine and nicotine, are recommended.  Patient education regarding the benign nature of infrequent PVCs was provided.  Follow-up with primary care physician is recommended for ongoing monitoring.  Differential diagnoses considered included atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia.  ICD-10 code I49.3 assigned.  Medical billing codes may include 93000 for EKG, 99213 for an established patient office visit, and appropriate codes for patient education.