tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2003 Issue 6

Reader Question: Dont Back Away From Burn Codes

Question: A patient presents with second-degree burns on the forearm. The physician dictates that wounds were dressed with Silvadene. The nursing notes state that the physician debrided the area. Should I include this work in the E/M code, or should I separately report the debridement and dressing work under the physician? Pennsylvania SubscriberAnswer: You should check the 16000 code series, Burns, Local Treatment. Most ED burns warrant code  16020* (Dressings and/or debridement, initial or subsequent; without anesthesia, office or hospital, small). Look at another burn code, 16000 (Initial treatment, first degree burn, when no more than local treatment is...

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