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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesLocal Treatment Procedures for BurnsCPT cpt-16000-first-degree-burn-wash-and-dress
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    CPT 16000: First-Degree Burn Wash and Dressing

    Medicare pays $93 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 16000 describes cleaning and initial simple dressing of a first-degree burn, where the provider washes the burn with plenty of cold water and applies clean sterile gauze; this is an acute wound care service typically performed in an urgent care clinic, emergency department, or outpatient clinic and is classified as basic wound management or burn first-aid care.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency Transportation, Non-Emergent Transportation Medical Policy, Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfers.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult or child presenting to an urgent care clinic, emergency department, or primary care office after contact with a heat source, hot liquid, steam, or brief chemical exposure causing a superficial (first-degree) burn. The patient reports localized pain, erythema, and intact skin without blistering. Triage staff obtain history of mechanism, time since injury, and any prior treatments; vital signs are assessed and neurovascular status of the affected area documented. The provider inspects the burn, confirms it is epidermal only, irrigates the area with copious cool running water to remove heat and contaminants, applies an appropriate sterile dressing such as non-adherent gauze and sterile wrap, provides analgesia as needed, and documents wound appearance, size, location, and aftercare instructions. After treatment the provider documents the procedure performed consistent with 16000 (wash/clean first degree burn and wrap in sterile gauze), records any topical agents used, and documents patient education, return precautions, and follow-up plan. Typical sites of service include urgent care centers, emergency departments, and ambulatory clinic exam rooms.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    16020Application of topical medication(s) for burns, minor, first-degree, face; single applicationMay be performed if topical agents are applied to first-degree facial burns in addition to washing and dressing.
    99202Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, straightforward medical decision making, typically 15–29 minutesAn E/M code that may be reported when a distinct office visit is performed in conjunction with the procedure (use modifier as appropriate).
    12001Simple repair of superficial wounds including epidermal and dermal layers and subcutaneous tissues, 2.5 cm or lessIf a superficial wound requires repair beyond dressing (e.g., laceration from thermal injury), this code may be used instead or in addition when distinct and documented.
    99070Supplies and materials provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the service, list separately in addition to code for primary procedureUse for sterile dressings or supplies not included in the primary procedure payment when payer allows separate supply billing.
    29580Application of short leg splint (calf to foot)Example of a code that may be used if immobilization is required after burn injury to an extremity (contextual adjunct procedure).

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    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…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    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…
    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…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    208000000X
    207R00000X
    363LF0000X
    367A00000X
    225C00000X
    103TP2700X
    332U00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Non-Emergency TransportationMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-11-01
    Non-Emergent Transportation Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-11-01
    Non-Emergency Facility to Facility Transfershap_caresource_mi_coordinated_health2026-11-01
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-16020-PARTIAL-THICKNESS-BURN-DRESSING-DEBRIDEMENT-SMALL-AREA

    CPT 16020: Dressing/Debridement of Small Partial-Thickness Burn

    CPT-16025-PARTIAL-THICKNESS-BURN-DRESSING-DEBRIDEMENT-MEDIUM

    CPT 16025: Dressing/Debridement of Partial-Thickness Burn, Medium

    CPT-16030-PARTIAL-THICKNESS-BURN-LARGE-AREA-DRESSING-DEBRIDEMENT

    CPT 16030: Dressing/Debridement of Large Partial-Thickness Burn

    CPT-16035-ESCHAROTOMY-FIRST-INCISION-BURN-DECOMPRESSION

    CPT 16035: Escharotomy, first incision

    CPT-16036-ESCHAROTOMY-ADDITIONAL-INCISION

    CPT 16036: Additional Escharotomy Incision

    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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