tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2008 Issue 4

Reader Questions: Watch for Bundles on Burn Coding

Question: A patient came in with first- and second-degree burns on her hand. The physician cleaned and dressed the burn but didn't perform debridement. Should I bill 16000 and 16020? Rhode Island SubscriberAnswer: You should report only 16020 (Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; small [less than 5% total body surface area]) in this case. A burn usually involves more severe tissue damage in the center (the second-degree burn) and radiates out with less severe burning on the outer edges (the first-degree burn). The more complicated treatment of the second-degree burn (16020) would include the adjacent...

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