2025 CPT code 16025
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Local Treatment Procedures for Burns Integumentary System Feed
Dressing and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns; medium (e.g., whole face or extremity, or 5% to 10% total body surface area).
Modifiers may apply depending on the circumstances.Modifier 59 may be used if another distinct procedure is performed on the same day.Refer to the most current CPT manual and NCCI edits.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a partial-thickness burn requiring debridement and dressing to prevent infection, promote healing, and manage pain.
The physician cleans the burn wound with an antiseptic solution, removes blisters and dead tissue (debridement) to prevent infection and promote healing, and applies appropriate dressings.
In simple words: This code covers cleaning and dressing a medium-sized burn that affects the top layers of skin.This applies to burns covering an area like a whole hand or face, or 5-10% of the body.
This CPT code encompasses the dressing and/or debridement of partial-thickness burns, whether initial or subsequent.The burn is classified as medium, encompassing a whole face or extremity, or 5% to 10% of the total body surface area (TBSA).The procedure includes cleaning the wound, removing blisters, loose or dead skin, and tissues to inhibit microbial growth and promote healing. Appropriate dressings are then applied.This code specifically addresses medium-sized partial-thickness (second-degree) burns.
Example 1: A patient sustains a second-degree burn to their entire left hand (approximately 5% TBSA). The physician performs debridement and applies a specialized burn dressing., A child receives a second-degree burn to their face (approximately 9% TBSA) in a house fire. After initial cleaning, debridement is performed, and a topical antimicrobial cream and dressing are applied., An adult suffers a second-degree burn to their left forearm and elbow (approximately 7% TBSA) from a kitchen accident. The physician cleanses the area, removes blisters, and applies a silver sulfadiazine cream and dressing.
* Detailed description of burn location (laterality, specific body part).* Precise calculation and documentation of TBSA affected using the rule of nines or a burn diagram.* Accurate assessment and documentation of burn depth (partial thickness).* Documentation of debridement (if performed) including the extent and type.* Detailed description of dressing applied.* Photographs of the wound, if available.
** Always accurately document the burn's size (TBSA) and depth.The Rule of Nines is a helpful tool, but a diagram may be more accurate for children.The global period for this code is 0 days under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.This means that other services performed on the same day are generally included in the payment.An EM visit may be reported with modifier 25 if a significant, separately identifiable EM service is performed and documented in addition to the burn care.
- Revenue Code: P6A (Minor Procedures - Skin)
- RVU: 3.16 RVUs (Medicare 2019 data)
- Global Days: 0-day global period (Medicare Physician Fee Schedule).
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: No TC modifier is applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Fee schedules vary by payer and year. Refer to specific payer fee schedules for historical data.
- Specialties:General Surgery, Burn Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Emergency Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital Inpatient, Hospital Outpatient, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Room