Otolaryngology Coding Alert
Do You Know Why This Bundle Exists?
Question: Can you help me explain to my physician why CPT® 60500 bundles into 60240? He is questioning it because the parathyroid exploration and excision was indicated for a clinical indication distinct from the indication related to thyroidectomy (parathyroid adenoma and hyperparathyroidism for 60500 and multinodular goiter for 60240). South Dakota Subscriber Answer: To help your physician better understand the bundle, you can share this information from the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) examples on the CMS website: CPT® code 60240 (Thyroidectomy, total or complete) describes a total or complete thyroidectomy. CPT® code 60500 (Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid[s]) describes a parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid(s). The exploration of parathyroid glands with or without parathyroidectomy (code 60500) is standard surgical practice when performing a complete thyroidectomy (code 60240). Therefore, CPT® code 60500 is bundled into CPT® code 60240. However, keep in mind that if your surgeon performs a parathyroid autotransplantation (+60512, Parathyroid autotransplantation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) in addition to the thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, you may also report +60512 as an add-on coded to the 60240.
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