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Official Description

Initial treatment, first degree burn, when no more than local treatment is required

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 16000 refers to the initial treatment of a first degree burn, which is characterized by requiring no more than local treatment. First degree burns are the least severe type of burn, affecting only the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. These burns typically result from minor thermal injuries, such as brief exposure to hot surfaces, sunburn, or scalding from hot liquids. The physician's role in this procedure involves a thorough examination of the burn area to assess the extent of the injury. Following the examination, the area is cleansed using an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. After cleansing, a soothing cream may be applied to alleviate discomfort, and a sterile dressing is placed over the burn to protect it from further irritation and contamination. Additionally, the physician provides the patient with instructions on the appropriate use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, to manage any pain associated with the burn. This initial treatment is crucial for promoting healing and ensuring patient comfort.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 16000 is indicated for the treatment of first degree burns. These burns are typically characterized by the following conditions:

  • Minor Thermal Injury Occurs from brief exposure to heat sources, such as hot surfaces or flames.
  • Sunburn Resulting from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
  • Scalding Caused by contact with hot liquids, such as boiling water or steam.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 16000 involves several key steps to ensure proper treatment of a first degree burn:

  • Step 1: Examination The physician begins by examining the burn area to assess the severity and extent of the injury. This examination is crucial for determining the appropriate course of treatment.
  • Step 2: Cleansing After the examination, the burn area is thoroughly washed with an antiseptic cleanser. This step is essential to remove any debris and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Step 3: Application of Cream Following cleansing, a soothing cream is applied to the affected area. This cream helps to alleviate discomfort and promote healing of the skin.
  • Step 4: Dressing A sterile dressing is then placed over the burn to protect it from further irritation and contamination. This dressing helps to keep the area clean and supports the healing process.
  • Step 5: Patient Instructions Finally, the physician provides the patient with instructions on the use of pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, to manage any pain associated with the burn.

3. Post-Procedure

After the initial treatment of a first degree burn, the patient is expected to follow specific post-procedure care instructions. This includes keeping the burn area clean and dry, changing the dressing as needed, and monitoring for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. The patient should also adhere to the recommended use of pain relievers to manage discomfort. Recovery from a first degree burn typically occurs within a few days, and the patient is advised to avoid further sun exposure to prevent aggravation of the burn. If symptoms worsen or do not improve, the patient should seek further medical evaluation.

Short Descr INITIAL TREATMENT OF BURN(S)
Medium Descr INITIAL TX 1ST DEGREE BURN LOCAL TX
Long Descr Initial treatment, first degree burn, when no more than local treatment is required
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator STV-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 214 - Traction, splints, and other wound care
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
F1 Left hand, second digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
FT Unrelated evaluation and management (e/m) visit on the same day as another e/m visit or during a global procedure (preoperative, postoperative period, or on the same day as the procedure, as applicable). (report when an e/m visit is furnished within the global period but is unrelated, or when one or more additional e/m visits furnished on the same day are unrelated)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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