2025 ICD-10-CM code T21
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Burns and corrosions of external body surface, specified by site Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) Feed
Burn and corrosion of the trunk.
Medical necessity for coding T21 is established through appropriate documentation of a burn or corrosion injury to the trunk. The depth and extent of the burn will determine the medical necessity of treatment, which should be justified in the medical record and support the assigned code. The medical necessity should be clear, comprehensive and support the clinical decision making.
The clinical responsibility for coding T21 rests with the physician or other qualified healthcare professional who examines and treats the patient. This includes accurate assessment of the burn's degree, location, and extent, and documentation of the necessary details for appropriate code assignment.The physician is responsible for determining the appropriate 7th character (A, D, or S) to indicate the encounter type.
- Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes > Burns and corrosions (T20-T32) > Burns and corrosions of external body surface, specified by site (T20-T25)
In simple words: This code is for burns or chemical burns (corrosions) on the chest, stomach, or back. It includes burns of different severities.A separate code might be needed to show how much of the body was burned.
This code classifies burns and corrosions affecting the trunk area of the body.It encompasses burns and corrosions of various degrees (first, second, or third-degree) and may include the hip region.Additional codes from categories T31 or T32 should be used to specify the extent of the body surface area involved.This code excludes burns and corrosions of the axilla (T22.- with fifth character 4), scapular region (T22.- with fifth character 6), and shoulder (T22.- with fifth character 5).
Example 1: A 35-year-old male sustained second-degree burns to his anterior chest and abdomen after a cooking oil accident.The burns cover approximately 10% of his total body surface area., A 60-year-old female presented with third-degree burns to her back and flanks after a house fire. The burns cover approximately 25% of her total body surface area, requiring extensive skin grafting., A 22-year-old female received a chemical burn to her upper abdomen and lower chest after accidental exposure to a corrosive cleaning agent. The burn is superficial (first-degree) and covers a small area.
Complete and accurate medical records are vital for correct coding. Documentation must include:* Precise location of the burn(s) on the trunk.* Burn depth (first, second, or third degree).* Total body surface area (TBSA) affected.* Description of the mechanism of injury (e.g., flame, scald, chemical).* Treatment rendered (e.g., wound care, surgery, medications).* Physician's assessment and plan of care.* Any other relevant findings.* Initial encounter vs subsequent encounter or sequela
** For extensive burns, additional codes (T31 or T32) are required to specify the extent of the body surface area involved.Always ensure proper documentation supports the code assignment.Remember that external cause codes from Chapter 20 should be used as secondary codes to further specify the cause of the burn.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Surgery (General, Plastic), Burn Units
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Office