16000 Initial treatment of burn(s)
Also known as: burn treatment, burn initial care, burn treatment initial, burn care, burn wound management
Initial treatment of acute burn injury including evaluation, treatment planning, pain management, and wound assessment.
In Plain Language
First treatment of a burn wound; Emergency burn care
Clinical Context
Performed in emergency department or acute care setting for newly sustained thermal injuries. Includes fluid resuscitation assessment, airway evaluation, and wound documentation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.87 |
| Total RVU | 0.87 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 0-day global period, meaning pre- and post-operative E&M visits are billable separately on the same day. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 0.87, this code ranks in the 3rd percentile among Surgery codes — 9.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 16000?
CPT 16000 (Initial treatment of burn(s)) is a Surgery code. Initial treatment of acute burn injury including evaluation, treatment planning, pain management, and wound assessment.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 16000?
The work RVU for CPT 16000 is 0.87. This code is primarily used by Burn Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Emergency Medicine.
When is CPT 16000 used?
Performed in emergency department or acute care setting for newly sustained thermal injuries. Includes fluid resuscitation assessment, airway evaluation, and wound documentation.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.