2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T20.36XSBurn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela
T20.36XS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for burn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 604 through 605. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as burn of forehead. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Injury, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
T20.36XS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Burn of forehead
- Deep third degree burn of cheek
- Deep third degree burn of face
- Deep third degree burn of forehead
- Deep third degree burn of head
- Full thickness burn of cheek
- Full thickness burn of forehead
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
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.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T20.36XS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T20.36XSOverview
Is T20.36XS (Burn of third degree of forehead and cheek) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report burn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in T20.36XS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the burn of third degree of forehead and cheek itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does T20.36XS group to?
When burn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 604, 605, with relative weights from 0.9160 to 1.4721 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T20.36XS exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for burn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T20.36XS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, burn of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 906.5 (late eff head/neck burn). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
Footnotes
[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.
