16020 Dress/debrid p-thick burn s
Also known as: partial thickness burn dressing small, burn dress small, burn dressing small, burn wound care
Dressing and debridement of partial-thickness (second-degree) burn injury for small treatment area less than defined square centimeters.
In Plain Language
Cleaning and bandaging a medium-depth burn, small area
Clinical Context
Performed in acute or outpatient settings for small partial-thickness burns. Includes removal of devitalized tissue and application of topical agents and dressings.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 0.69 |
| Total RVU | 0.69 |
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 0.69, this code ranks in the 2nd percentile among Surgery codes — 11.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 16020?
CPT 16020 (Dress/debrid p-thick burn s) is a Surgery code. Dressing and debridement of partial-thickness (second-degree) burn injury for small treatment area less than defined square centimeters.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 16020?
The work RVU for CPT 16020 is 0.69. This code is primarily used by Burn Surgery, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery.
When is CPT 16020 used?
Performed in acute or outpatient settings for small partial-thickness burns. Includes removal of devitalized tissue and application of topical agents and dressings.
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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.