Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T20.3

Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck

ICD-10-CM Code:
T20.3
ICD-10 Code for:
Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Burns and corrosions of external body surface, specified by site
      (T20-T25)
      • Burn and corrosion of head, face, and neck
        (T20)

T20.3 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of burn of third degree of head, face, and neck. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck

Non-specific codes like T20.3 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for burn of third degree of head, face, and neck:

  • T20.30 for Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck, unspecified site - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.30XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.30XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.30XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.31 for Burn of third degree of ear [any part, except ear drum] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.311 for Burn of third degree of right ear [any part, except ear drum] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.311A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.311D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.311S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.312 for Burn of third degree of left ear [any part, except ear drum] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.312A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.312D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.312S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.319 for Burn of third degree of unspecified ear [any part, except ear drum] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.319A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.319D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.319S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.32 for Burn of third degree of lip(s) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.32XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.32XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.32XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.33 for Burn of third degree of chin - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.33XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.33XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.33XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.34 for Burn of third degree of nose (septum) - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.34XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.34XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.34XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.35 for Burn of third degree of scalp [any part] - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.35XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.35XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.35XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.36 for Burn of third degree of forehead and cheek - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.36XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.36XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.36XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.37 for Burn of third degree of neck - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.37XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.37XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.37XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

  • T20.39 for Burn of third degree of multiple sites of head, face, and neck - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.39XA for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.39XD for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T20.39XS for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Coding Guidelines

The ICD-10-CM makes a distinction between burns and corrosions. The burn codes are for thermal burns, except sunburns, that come from a heat source, such as a fire or hot appliance. The burn codes are also for burns resulting from electricity and radiation. Corrosions are burns due to chemicals. The guidelines are the same for burns and corrosions.

Sequence first the code that reflects the highest degree of burn when more than one burn is present.

  • When the reason for the admission or encounter is for treatment of external multiple burns, sequence first the code that reflects the burn of the highest degree.
  • When a patient has both internal and external burns, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
  • When a patient is admitted for burn injuries and other related conditions such as smoke inhalation and/or respiratory failure, the circumstances of admission govern the selection of the principal or first-listed diagnosis.

Current burns (T20-T25) are classified by depth, extent and by agent (X code). Burns are classified by depth as first degree (erythema), second degree (blistering), and third degree (full-thickness involvement).

Classify burns of the same local site (three-character category level, T20-T28) but of different degrees to the subcategory identifying the highest degree recorded in the diagnosis.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Burn and corrosion of head, face, and neck (T20). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.

Patient Education


Burns

A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns. Another kind is an inhalation injury, caused by breathing smoke.

There are three types of burns:

  • First-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin
  • Second-degree burns damage the outer layer and the layer underneath
  • Third-degree burns damage or destroy the deepest layer of skin and tissues underneath

Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring and, in serious cases, shock, and even death. They also can lead to infections because they damage your skin's protective barrier. Treatment for burns depends on the cause of the burn, how deep it is, and how much of the body it covers. Antibiotic creams can prevent or treat infections. For more serious burns, treatment may be needed to clean the wound, replace the skin, and make sure the patient has enough fluids and nutrition.

NIH: National Institute of General Medical Sciences


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.