tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2021 Issue Q3

You Be the Coder: Evaluate Burn Size Before Choosing a Code

Question: Our ED physician treated a 14-year-old patient who had a second-degree burn on the palm of his left hand caused by grabbing a hot fire poker. The physician debrided and dressed the blistered areas. How should we code this? Connecticut Subscriber Answer: Because the physician documented debriding and dressing second-degree burns with blistering, which typically involves tissue below the dermis, the appropriate procedure code would probably be 16020 (Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; small (less than 5% total body surface area)). If the treated area is larger than that, you may choose a different...

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