F63.1

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

An impulse control disorder characterized by a persistent urge to set fires, with tension before the act and gratification or relief afterward.

Coding Tips

• •Verify documentation clearly states recurrent fire-setting behavior with loss of control
• •Distinguish from fire-setting due to other mental disorders, substance use, or conduct disorders

Clinical Significance

Pyromania is a rare impulse control disorder characterized by deliberate and purposeful fire setting on more than one occasion, with tension or affective arousal before the act and fascination with fire. It must be distinguished from fire setting due to conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or psychotic episodes. Accurate diagnosis is critical for appropriate psychiatric treatment and safety planning.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Provider documentation of deliberate, purposeful fire setting on multiple occasions
• ✓Evidence of tension or arousal preceding the act and pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fires
• ✓Exclusion of fire setting for monetary gain, expression of sociopolitical ideology, concealment of criminal activity, or as part of conduct disorder or antisocial PD
• ✓Exclusion of fire setting during psychotic episodes, impaired judgment due to substance use, or intellectual disability
• ✓Psychiatric evaluation documenting the diagnosis and treatment plan

Commonly Confused Codes