At what percentage should a front torso burn be coded?

A front torso burn should be coded at 18% of the total body surface area according to the rules established in the "Rule of Nines," which is a method used in the medical field to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns in adults.

In adults, the body is divided into sections that each represent approximately 9% or a multiple of 9% of the total body surface area. The front torso is considered to account for 18%—with the chest and abdomen each contributing 9%. Therefore, when coding for a burn affecting the front torso, the correct percentage to assign is indeed 18%.

This coding is important for determining the extent of treatment necessary, reimbursement, and overall patient management in burn cases. Understanding these percentages is crucial for accurate medical billing and coding processes.