T31.31

Billable

Burns involving 30-39% 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

Severe burns covering 30-39% of the body surface with 10-19% deep tissue damage (third degree burns). This represents a significant increase in full-thickness burn involvement requiring intensive treatment.

Coding Tips

•Ensure documentation clearly specifies the percentage of third-degree burns separately from the total body surface area affected
•This code indicates moderate full-thickness burn involvement within the 30-39% total burn range

Clinical Significance

Burns involving 30-39% of body surface area with 10-19% third-degree burns represent major burn injury with substantial risk of mortality and long-term disability. This level of injury requires immediate transfer to a specialized burn center for comprehensive care including aggressive fluid resuscitation, surgical intervention, and multidisciplinary management to prevent complications.

Documentation Requirements

✓Documented calculation showing 30-39% total body surface area involvement
✓Clear documentation that 10-19% of the burned area is third-degree
✓Use of standardized burn assessment methodology
✓Description of anatomical areas affected with depth assessment
✓Evidence of burn center evaluation or transfer
✓Documentation of fluid resuscitation needs using burn formulas
✓Assessment of inhalation injury risk if applicable
✓Treatment plan addressing surgical and non-surgical management

Commonly Confused Codes

T31.30 — Burns 30-39% TBSA with no third degree involvement T31.32 — Burns 30-39% TBSA with 20-29% third degree (more extensive third-degree)T31.21 — Burns 20-29% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (smaller total area)T32.31 — Corrosions 30-39% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (chemical cause)T31.41 — Burns 40-49% TBSA with 10-19% third degree (larger total area)

Code Hierarchy

└T31Burns classified according to extent of body surface involved └T31.3Burns involving 30-39% of body surface └T31.31Burns involving 30-39% of body surface with 10-19% third degree burns

└T31.31Burns involving 30-39% of body surface with 10-19% third degree burns