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The CPT® Code 16020 pertains to the treatment of partial-thickness burns, specifically focusing on those that affect a small area of the body, defined as less than 5% of the total body surface area (TBSA). This procedure involves both the debridement of damaged tissue and the application of dressings to promote healing. Partial-thickness burns are characterized by injury to the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin, as well as the dermis, which is the layer beneath the epidermis. These burns can result from various causes, including thermal, chemical, or electrical sources. During the procedure, the physician will assess the burn area and inquire about the circumstances surrounding the injury. The affected area is typically cleansed with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection, and any foreign materials present are carefully removed. Additionally, any necrotic or damaged tissue is excised to facilitate proper healing. Following this, a soothing cream may be applied to alleviate discomfort, and the burn is then covered with a sterile dressing to protect it from further injury and contamination. It is important to note that for larger burns, different CPT codes are utilized; for instance, code 16025 is designated for medium burns, while code 16030 is used for large burns. Therefore, code 16020 is specifically reserved for small partial-thickness burns that meet the criteria of affecting less than 5% of the TBSA.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 16020 is indicated for the treatment of partial-thickness burns that are classified as small, specifically those affecting less than 5% of the total body surface area (TBSA). The following conditions may warrant the use of this code:
The procedure for CPT® Code 16020 involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the partial-thickness burn:
After the procedure associated with CPT® Code 16020, the patient may be advised on specific post-procedure care to facilitate recovery. This includes keeping the dressing clean and dry, monitoring the burn for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge, and following up with the physician as directed. Patients may also receive instructions on pain management and the importance of avoiding further trauma to the affected area. It is essential for patients to adhere to these guidelines to ensure optimal healing and minimize complications.
| Short Descr | DRESS/DEBRID P-THICK BURN S | Medium Descr | DRS&/DBRDMT PRTL-THKNS BURNS 1ST/SBSQ SMALL | Long Descr | Dressings and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, initial or subsequent; small (less than 5% total body surface area) | 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 | 169 - Debridement of wound, infection or burn |
| 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | 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. | 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). | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 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) | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AG | Primary physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | ER | Items and services furnished by a provider-based, off-campus emergency department | F1 | Left hand, second digit | F3 | Left hand, fourth digit | F5 | Right hand, thumb | F6 | Right hand, second digit | F7 | Right hand, third digit | F9 | Right hand, fifth digit | FA | Left hand, thumb | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GF | Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | PD | Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days | PN | Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | PO | Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | SA | Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician | SU | Procedure performed in physician's office (to denote use of facility and equipment) | T1 | Left foot, second digit | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T6 | Right foot, second digit | T9 | Right foot, fifth digit | TA | Left foot, great toe | 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 | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | 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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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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