Section 20-2-V - BURNS, LOCAL TREATMENTA.Degree of Burns1. Code 16000 must be used when billing for treatment of first degree burns when no more than local treatment of burned surfaces is required. 2. Codes 16020-16030 must be used when billing for treatment of partial-thickness burns only.3. Codes 16035-16036 must be used when billing an escharotomy for treatment of a burn. 4. The claim form must be accompanied by a report substantiating the services performed.5. Major debridement of foreign bodies, grease, epidermis, or necrotic tissue may be billed separately under codes 11000-11001. Modifier 51 does not apply. B.Percentage of Total Body Surface (TBS) Area. The following definitions apply to codes 16020-16030: 1. "Small" means a burn that encompasses five percent (5%) of TBS area or less. 2. "Medium" means a burn that encompasses five percent to ten percent (5%-10%) of TBS or that involves the whole face, or a whole extremity. 3. "Large" means a burn that encompasses greater than ten percent (10%) TBS area. C.Reimbursement1.To identify accurately the proper procedure code and substantiate the descriptor for billing, the exact percentage of the body surface involved and the degree of the burn must be specified on the claim form submitted or by attaching a special report. Claims submitted without this specification will be returned to the physician for this additional information. 2.Hospital visits, emergency room visits, or critical care visits provided by the same physician on the same day as the application of burn dressings will be reimbursed as a single procedure at the highest level of service.