T20.3
Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck
T20.3 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for burn of third degree of head, face, and neck. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are T20.30 Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck, unspecified site; T20.31 Burn of third degree of ear [any part, except ear drum]; T20.32 Burn of third degree of lip(s); T20.33 Burn of third degree of chin and 5 more. Its coding notes include a Use additional code instruction and 5 Excludes2 entries.
7th characters
Every code below needs one of these (defined at T20).
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T20
- Ainitial encounter
- Dsubsequent encounter
- Ssequela
Guidelines tips
From the FY2027 Official Guidelines. ICD10Ref adds no rules of its own.
The 7th character depends on whether the patient is in active treatment, not on who sees the patient. An aftercare Z code is not used for injury aftercare.
Burns are classified by depth, extent and agent. Burns of the same site and side but different degrees take the highest degree. Non-healing burns are coded as acute burns.
Late effects of burns are coded with 7th character S, and a current burn and a sequela of an old burn can be coded together. An external cause code is used with burns.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
- external cause code to identify the source, place and intent of the burn (X00-X19, X75-X77, X96-X98, Y92)
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- birth trauma (P10-P15)
- obstetric trauma (O70-O71)
Includes
Further defines or gives examples of the content of the category.
Also from chapter/block level (3 notes)
- burns and corrosions of first degree [erythema]
- burns and corrosions of second degree [blisters][epidermal loss]
- burns and corrosions of third degree [deep necrosis of underlying tissue] [full- thickness skin loss]
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (2 notes)
- Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
- The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.
More specific codes under T20.3 9
- T20.30Burn of third degree of head, face, and neck, unspecified site7th char needed
- T20.31Burn of third degree of ear [any part, except ear drum]Header
- T20.32Burn of third degree of lip(s)7th char needed
- T20.33Burn of third degree of chin7th char needed
- T20.34Burn of third degree of nose (septum)7th char needed
- T20.35Burn of third degree of scalp [any part]7th char needed
- T20.36Burn of third degree of forehead and cheek7th char needed
- T20.37Burn of third degree of neck7th char needed
- T20.39Burn of third degree of multiple sites of head, face, and neck7th char needed