Wiki CPT for cauterization of burn

[dcraven]

Which code would you use for cauterization by silver nitrate for 2nd degree burn - initial treatment and wrapping? CPT 16020 or 17250?:

 

[BoyceSolutions]

The 17250 is for "Destruction, Benign or Premalignant Lesions". Use of Silver Nitrate is uncommon for burn treatment. Silver Nitrate is usually used to control bleeding for small areas, It cauterizes the bleeding area/vessel.

The USUAL treatment for a burn is Silver Sulfadine cream application......so first I would make sure there was not a miscommunication here.... Since it is a second degree burn, which means just blistering, I doubt there were any exposed or bleeding vessels to cauterize, and it would be very strange to treat one burn with another type of burn.

 

[FTessaBartels]

16020

17250 is inappropriate as there is no evidence of granulation tissue (I don't think it has to be related to destruction of lesion).

16020 seems appropriate, EVEN if doctor did, in fact, use silver nitrate.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CPC-E/M