T31.21

Billable

Burns involving 20-29% of body surface with 10-19% third degree burns

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 385 — Severe Skin Burn or Condition

0.350

V24HCC 162 — Severe Skin Burn or Condition

0.517

ESRDHCC 162 — Severe Skin Burn or Condition

0.000

What This Code Means

A burn injury affecting 20-29% of the body surface area with 10-19% of the burn being deep (third degree).

Coding Tips

•The second digit (1) indicates 10-19% third degree burns; this represents a moderate to severe burn requiring specialized care
•Document the extent of third degree burns carefully as this affects treatment decisions and prognosis

Clinical Significance

Burns involving 20-29% of body surface area with 10-19% third-degree involvement represent major burn injury requiring immediate hospitalization and specialized burn center care. This level of injury carries significant risk of complications including infection, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and potential need for multiple surgical procedures.

Documentation Requirements

✓Precise calculation showing 20-29% total body surface area involvement
✓Documentation that 10-19% of the burn area is third-degree (full thickness)
✓Use of standardized burn assessment tools (Rule of Nines, Lund-Browder)
✓Description of burn depth characteristics consistent with third-degree injury
✓Documentation of anatomical distribution of burns
✓Assessment by burn-qualified healthcare provider
✓Evidence of systemic impact or complications from burn injury
✓Treatment protocols including fluid resuscitation and surgical planning

Commonly Confused Codes

T31.20 — Burns 20-29% TBSA with no third degree involvement T31.22 — Burns 20-29% TBSA with 20-29% third degree (higher third-degree percentage)T31.11 — Burns 10-19% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (smaller total area)T32.21 — Corrosions 20-29% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (chemical injury)T31.31 — Burns 30-39% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (larger total area)

Code Hierarchy

└T31Burns classified according to extent of body surface involved └T31.2Burns involving 20-29% of body surface └T31.21Burns involving 20-29% of body surface with 10-19% third degree burns

└T31.21Burns involving 20-29% of body surface with 10-19% third degree burns