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    OpenPayerBilling CodesAnesthesia for Burn Excisions or Debridement ProceduresCPT cpt-01952-anesthesia-burn-excision-debridement-4-9-tbsa
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    CPT 01952: Anesthesia for Burn Excision/Debridement 4–9% TBSA

    Commercial payers pay $73 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 01952 describes anesthesia services for excision or debridement of second‑ and third‑degree burns involving between 4% and 9% of total body surface area; service type is anesthesia for burn excision/debridement, typically provided in an operating room or procedural suite for patients undergoing operative burn care.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    National Reimbursement Benchmarks

    BUCA (average commercial) sits near the midpack with a mean commercial rate of $73.20 and an interquartile spread (P75–P25) of $40.70, indicating moderate dispersion around its median of $62.90. Cigna shows the highest mean ($96.50) and the widest interquartile range of $58.00 (P75 $125.00 minus P25 $68.40), reflecting more variability in negotiated commercial rates. Aetna’s IQR is $62.90 (P75 $106.60 minus P25 $43.10), also quite wide, while Blue Cross Blue Shield’s IQR is tighter at $39.60 (P75 $81.50 minus P25 $43.90). UnitedHealth Group displays the tightest spread at $28.90 (P75 $80.90 minus P25 $52.00), suggesting more consistency among its commercial rates.

    Comparing extremes, Cigna and Aetna create the greatest dispersion in the national commercial landscape, while UnitedHealth Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield cluster more closely around their medians. BUCA’s mean sits between these clusters, offering a useful midpoint for national commercial performance at $73.20. Maximum and minimum contractual values vary by payer where provided, but the interquartile spreads above best capture variability across the major commercial payers.

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    National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

    State Reimbursement Rates

    State: Alaska1 / 51

    Rate by payer

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old male presents to the burn service after a house fire with mixed second- and third-degree burns involving the right shoulder, anterior chest wall, and dorsal hand. Estimated total body surface area (TBSA) burned is 6%. The burn surgery team schedules excision and debridement of devitalized tissue under general anesthesia without immediate skin grafting. Preoperative evaluation by the anesthesiologist documents airway status, inhalation injury risk, hemodynamic stability, intravenous access (large-bore), pain control needs, and resuscitation status. On the day of surgery the anesthesiology team provides induction, airway management, intraoperative monitoring (including cardiac, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, temperature), fluid management and analgesia. The procedure is coded to 01952 because excision/debridement involves between 4% and 9% TBSA for second- and third-degree burns. Typical perioperative workflow includes pre-op assessment, informed consent, perioperative documentation of TBSA excised, operative note supporting extent of debridement, anesthesia record documenting agents and monitoring, and immediate postoperative handoff to PACU or burn ICU for ongoing wound care and pain management.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    01951Anesthesia for second‑ and third‑degree burn excision or debridement without skin grafting, TBSA less than 4 percentUsed when excision/debridement involves under 4% TBSA; alternative code for smaller procedures.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207LP2900XPain Medicine (Anesthesiology) PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who provides a high level of care, either as a primary physician or consultant, for patients experiencing problems with acute, chr…
    207LP3000XPediatric Anesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist who has had additional skill and experience in and is primarily concerned with the anesthesia, sedation, and pain management needs…
    104100000XSocial WorkerA social worker is a person who is qualified by a Social Work degree, and licensed, certified or registered by the state as a social worker to practic…
    2084A2900XNeurocritical Care PhysicianThe medical subspecialty of Neurocritical Care is devoted to the comprehensive, multisystem care of the critically-ill neurological patient. Like othe…
    2080S0012XPediatric Sleep Medicine PhysicianA Pediatrician who practices Sleep Medicine is certified in the subspecialty of sleep medicine and specializes in the clinical assessment, physiologic…
    213ER0200XRadiology PodiatristPodiatric Medicine & Surgery Service Providers · Podiatrist
    133VN1004XPediatric Nutrition Registered DietitianAn individual who is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition and applies evidence-based nutrition knowledge in providing medical nutrition…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    7 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-01951-ANESTHESIA-BURN-EXCISION-DEBRIDEMENT-LESS-THAN-4PCT-BSA

    CPT 01951: Anesthesia for Excision/Debridement of <4% Burns

    CPT-01953-ANESTHESIA-BURN-EXCISION-DEBRIDEMENT-ADDITIONAL-9PCT-TBSA

    CPT 01953: Anesthesia for Burn Excision/Debridement per Additional 9% TBSA

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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    01953Anesthesia for second‑ and third‑degree burn excision or debridement without skin grafting, each additional 9 percent TBSAUsed to report incremental additional TBSA beyond the base unit when excision/debridement exceeds initial TBSA thresholds; applies when staging or larger excisions occur.