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    OpenPayerBilling CodesSelective Enzymatic Debridement ProceduresCPT cpt-0973t-enzymatic-burn-debridement-trunk-arms-legs
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    CPT 0973T: Enzymatic Debridement of Burn Wounds, Trunk/Arms/Legs

    CPT code 0973T describes enzymatic debridement of burn wounds on the trunk, arms, and legs using a tissue-selective enzyme applied after wound cleansing with anesthesia, followed by mechanical removal of the loosened necrotic tissue; this is a procedural service typically performed in an operating room or procedure suite and includes patient monitoring and care for the first 100 sq cm treated.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Reduction Mammoplasty (Breast Reduction Surgery) for Symptomatic Macromastia, Gynecomastia Surgery, Panniculectomy (Abdominal skin/fat surgery).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A middle-aged patient with partial-thickness and mixed-depth thermal burns on the trunk and bilateral upper and lower extremities presents for enzymatic debridement of nonviable burn eschar. The patient underwent initial resuscitation in the emergency department and was hemodynamically stable. After wound assessment by the burn surgeon in the ambulatory burn clinic or same-day procedure unit, the decision is made to perform enzymatic debridement targeting necrotic tissue while preserving viable dermis. The procedure is performed under regional or monitored anesthesia care in an outpatient procedure or ambulatory surgery center; it can also occur in an inpatient burn unit for larger or medically complex patients.

    Before the procedure, the provider documents surface area to confirm the first 100 sq cm covered by code 0973T, obtains informed consent, verifies anesthesia and peri-procedural monitoring, and ensures tetanus status and analgesia. The procedure includes wound cleansing, topical application of the enzymatic agent according to manufacturer instructions, time for enzyme to act, and mechanical removal of loosened necrotic tissue with careful preservation of viable skin. The provider monitors hemodynamics, pain control, and wound appearance throughout, documents the exact surface area treated, and plans follow-up for repeat debridement, dressing changes, grafting evaluation, or wound care as indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    12032Simple repair of superficial wounds of the trunk, arms, or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cmMay be used for closure of small linear wounds after debridement when primary repair is indicated.
    15002Application of skin substitute graft, first 100 sq cm or lessMay be billed when a biologic skin substitute is applied to burn wounds after enzymatic debridement in the same operative session.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (first 20 sq cm or less)Surgical sharp debridement code used when mechanical/sharp debridement of deeper tissue is performed in addition to enzymatic debridement.
    16020Dressing, local application, for burns; initial and subsequent dressingsUsed for professional application of specialized burn dressings following enzymatic debridement.
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceMay be used in atypical peri-procedural care scenarios not captured by standard E/M codes (payer review required).

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    208100000XPhysical Medicine & Rehabilitation PhysicianPhysical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, evaluating, and…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    261QR0206XMammography Clinic/CenterAmbulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
    363LC1500XCommunity Health Nurse PractitionerPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Nurse Practitioner
    146D00000XPersonal Emergency Response AttendantIndividuals that are specially trained to assist patients living at home with urgent/emergent situations. These individuals must be able to perform C…
    235Z00000XSpeech-Language PathologistThe speech-language pathologist is the professional who engages in clinical services, prevention, advocacy, education, administration, and research in…
    170300000XGenetic Counselor (M.S.)A masters trained health care provider who collects and interprets genetic family histories; assesses the risk of disease occurrence or recurrence; id…

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery1 / 3

    8 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Reduction Mammoplasty (Breast Reduction Surgery) for Symptomatic MacromastiaWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Gynecomastia SurgeryCigna2026-08-15
    Panniculectomy (Abdominal skin/fat surgery)moda_health_plan_inc2026-08-13
    Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Breast Reduction Surgery (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures (for Ohio Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Cosmetic and Reconstructive Procedures (for Kentucky Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Panniculectomy Surgery (for Kansas Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-0974T-ENZYMATIC-DEBRIDEMENT-BURN-WOUNDS-ADD-ON-100-SQ-CM

    CPT 0974T: Enzymatic Debridement of Burns, Trunk/Arms/Legs (add-on)

    CPT-0975T-ENZYMATIC-BURN-DEBRIDEMENT-FIRST-100-SQ-CM

    CPT 0975T: Enzymatic Debridement of Burn Wounds, First 100 sq cm

    CPT-0976T-ENZYMATIC-BURN-DEBRIDEMENT-ADD-ON-100-SQ-CM

    CPT 0976T: Enzymatic Debridement of Burn Tissue, Per Additional 100 sq cm

    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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