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.

This is a section heading — the guidance lives in the subsections below.

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026 (effective October 1, 2025). Published by CMS and NCHS. Reproduced for reference — always verify against the official CMS release.