Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • NPI Medicare & Medicaid
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesSelective Enzymatic Debridement ProceduresCPT cpt-0974t-enzymatic-debridement-burn-wounds-add-on-100-sq-cm
    Ask Trek AI about this page

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

    CPT code 0974T describes an enzymatic debridement add-on procedure in which the provider uses a targeted enzyme to remove necrotic burn tissue from the trunk, arms, and legs while preserving healthy skin; the service includes anesthesia, wound cleansing, enzyme application, mechanical removal of loosened tissue, and patient monitoring during the procedure and is reported for each additional 100 sq cm beyond the initial 100 sq cm, typically performed in an operating room or procedure suite or other inpatient/outpatient surgical setting.

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

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 0974T policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 0974T are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 6

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 45–65 year-old adult with deep partial-thickness or full-thickness thermal burns to the trunk, arms, and/or legs who presents for enzymatic debridement to remove necrotic burn eschar while preserving viable dermis. The patient is evaluated in a procedural suite, burn center, or operating room where monitored anesthesia is provided (local with sedation or general anesthesia per clinical need). The workflow includes pre-procedure assessment and consent, wound cleansing and preparation, selective application of the proteolytic enzymatic agent to the affected burn areas, mechanical removal of loosened necrotic tissue after the enzyme has acted, hemostasis as needed, dressing application, and post-procedure monitoring and discharge instructions. The billed activity using add-on code 0974T represents each additional 100 square centimeters treated after the first 100 sq cm; the primary service code for the initial 100 sq cm is reported separately. Typical sites of service are an outpatient ambulatory surgery center, hospital operating room, or burn center procedural suite. Common clinical scenarios include removal of slough or eschar from thermal burns to improve wound bed for healing or to prepare for grafting, often performed by burn surgeons, plastic surgeons, or general surgeons with burn expertise.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    16020Application of topical enzyme, autolytic agent, or topical debriding agent, first 25 sq cm or less; initial applicationMay be used for small-area enzymatic debridement or initial topical debridement procedures; different scale and usually non–operating room.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis), first 20 sq cm or lessSurgical sharp debridement of deeper tissues that may be used when enzymatic debridement is inadequate or when more aggressive excision is required.
    11044Debridement, muscle and/or bone, first 20 sq cm or lessUsed when deeper debridement into muscle or bone is clinically necessary in extensive burns or infected wounds following enzymatic debridement.
    13160Secondary closure of surgical wound; complicated, extensive or with delayed healingMay be used for complex wound closures after debridement and definitive reconstruction.
    15734Muscle, myocutaneous or fasciocutaneous flap with microvascular anastomosisRepresents reconstructive options (flaps) that may follow debridement when large tissue defects require coverage.
    12001Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities; 2.5 cm or lessMay be used for minor closure of wounds after limited debridement when primary repair is appropriate.

    Related Modifiers

    13 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…
    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…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208C00000XColon & Rectal Surgery PhysicianA colon and rectal surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat various diseases of the intestinal tract, colon, rectum, anal canal and perianal area by m…
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    213E00000XPodiatristA podiatrist is a person qualified by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree, licensed by the state, and practicing within the scope of that l…
    363L00000XNurse Practitioner(1) A registered nurse provider with a graduate degree in nursing prepared for advanced practice involving independent and interdependent decision mak…
    2085R0202XDiagnostic Radiology PhysicianA radiologist who utilizes x-ray, radionuclides, ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease.
    246ZX2200XOrthopedic AssistantAn Orthopaedic Assistant is a person who has been trained to work as a physician extender in both clinical and surgical environments. An Orthopaedic A…
    1710I1002XIndependent Duty CorpsmanA Navy Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) is an active duty Sailor who has successfully completed one of the Navy's specific IDC training programs. IDCs…
    261QM1103XMilitary Ambulatory Procedure Visits Operational (Transportable) Clinic/Center"Non-fixed" facilities or distinct parts of a "non-fixed" facility, providing outpatient surgical procedures requiring medically supervised recovery. …

    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-0973T-ENZYMATIC-BURN-DEBRIDEMENT-TRUNK-ARMS-LEGS

    CPT 0973T: Enzymatic Debridement of Burn Wounds, Trunk/Arms/Legs

    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.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.