Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: The surgeon performed a left thyroidectomy for malignancy, with a neck dissection and a complete right thyroidectomy. Only one side had malignancy. Do I bill both 60252 and 60240?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can report both 60252 (Thyroidectomy, total or subtotal for malignancy; with limited neck dissection) and 60240 (Thyroidectomy, total or complete) because of the multiple procedures rule. Append modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to 60240 and include supporting documentation to show that the surgeon performed multiple distinct procedures on each side during the encounter.