CPT 16020 Surgery - Integumentary

How Much Does Burn Dressing/debridement, Small Cost?

Also known as: Dress/debrid p-thick burn s (CPT 16020)

Debridement of a burn wound.

The total estimated cost of Burn Dressing/debridement, Small (CPT 16020) is $131 to $212, including hospital fees, anesthesia, and supplies. The surgeon's Medicare fee alone is $54.

Total Estimated Cost of Care

$131 — $212

This estimate includes hospital facility fees, anesthesia, and supplies .

Surgeon/Physician Fee
$54
Hospital Facility Fee
$109
Important: The physician fee of $54 shown in the cost cards below is what Medicare pays the surgeon/doctor only. The hospital charges a separate facility fee that typically makes up 70-85% of the total cost.
Medicare Physician Fee (Facility Setting)
$54
Physician component only — CMS PFS 2026
Medicare Physician Fee (Office/Clinic)
$93
Non-facility setting

Patient Guide: Burn Dressing/debridement, Small

What you need to know before your appointment

What to Expect

Dead, burned skin is carefully removed to promote healing and prevent infection. This may be done in a whirlpool or operating room.

How Long Does It Take?

30-60 minutes

Common Reasons Doctors Order This

Second or third degree burns, burn wound care, preparing burn wound for grafting

How to Prepare

Pain medication is given before. Multiple sessions may be needed. Burns require specialized wound care.

Procedures Commonly Done Together

These procedures are frequently performed alongside Dress/debrid p-thick burn s

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How to Reduce Your Cost for Dress/debrid p-thick burn s

Practical tips that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars

  • 1
    Ask about cash-pay discounts

    Many hospitals and clinics offer 20-40% discounts for self-pay patients. Always ask before scheduling.

  • 2
    Compare facility vs. office setting costs

    For this procedure, the office rate ($93) differs from the facility rate ($54). Ask if it can be done in an office setting.

  • 3
    Shop around — costs vary significantly

    Costs can vary 2-3x between providers in the same city. Get quotes from multiple facilities.

How is the Price Calculated?

Medicare calculates procedure payments using Relative Value Units (RVUs). Each procedure has three components multiplied by a conversion factor ($33.40 in 2026) and adjusted by geographic cost indices.

0.69
Work RVU
0.82
Practice Expense RVU
0.12
Malpractice RVU
2.78
Total RVU

Payment = Total RVU (2.78) x CF ($33.40) = $93

People Also Ask

Common questions people search for about this procedure

What is the average cost of burn treatment?

The average total cost of treatment for 1 patient was 3275.9 USD, of which health insurance covered 58.1%. The average treatment cost for 1 day of hospital stay was 113.3 USD and the treatment cost for 1% burn area was 109.5 USD (Table I).

Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov See our data-backed answer →
How much does a prescribed burn cost?

Estimates of the cost of prescribed fire range between 00 and ,000 per acre of treated forest. And in California alone, there are somewhere between 10 and 30 million acres that would benefit from fuel reduction treatment.

Source: siepr.stanford.edu See our data-backed answer →
How much is burn treatment?

Hospitalization and Surgery Hospital stays for burn treatment can be expensive, with daily costs ranging from ,000 to 0,000 or more.

Source: baumgartnerlawyers.com See our data-backed answer →
What to do for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Dress/debrid p-thick burn s cost?

The Medicare facility rate for Dress/debrid p-thick burn s is $54. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).

How much does Dress/debrid p-thick burn s cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the cost of Dress/debrid p-thick burn s can range from 150% of Medicare to 500% of Medicare depending on the facility. Many hospitals and clinics offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% off their chargemaster price. Always ask about cash pricing before your visit.

Does insurance cover Dress/debrid p-thick burn s?

Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Dress/debrid p-thick burn s when ordered by a physician for a medically necessary reason. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay/coinsurance structure, and whether you use an in-network provider. Check with your insurance company before scheduling to confirm coverage and get a cost estimate.

Why does the cost vary so much by location?

Medicare adjusts payments using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) that reflect local differences in physician work costs, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Manhattan, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural regions. Commercial insurers follow similar geographic patterns.

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