T31.65

Billable

Burns involving 60-69% of body surface with 50-59% 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 60-69% of the body surface, with 50-59% being the most serious third-degree burns that destroy all skin layers.

Coding Tips

•Always document the total body surface area (BSA) percentage affected and the percentage that is third-degree burns separately
•These codes require documentation of burn depth classification; third-degree burns indicate full-thickness injury requiring specialized burn center care

Clinical Significance

This code represents one of the most critical burn injuries with massive body surface involvement and the majority being full-thickness burns. These patients have extremely high mortality risk requiring immediate specialized burn center care with comprehensive intensive management.

Documentation Requirements

✓Total body surface area (TBSA) documented as 60-69%
✓Third-degree burns documented as 50-59% of body surface
✓Validated burn assessment methodology used
✓Detailed anatomical distribution mapping
✓Burn mechanism and causative agent specification
✓Complete burn depth classification system
✓Complications and associated injuries documented
✓Burn center protocols and transfer arrangements

Commonly Confused Codes

T31.64 — 40-49% third-degree versus 50-59% third-degree T31.66 — 60-69% third-degree versus 50-59% third-degree T31.55 — Total TBSA 50-59% versus 60-69%T32.65 — Corrosion versus burn etiology T31.75 — Total TBSA 70-79% versus 60-69%

Code Hierarchy

└T31Burns classified according to extent of body surface involved └T31.6Burns involving 60-69% of body surface └T31.65Burns involving 60-69% of body surface with 50-59% third degree burns

└T31.65Burns involving 60-69% of body surface with 50-59% third degree burns