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Wiki 60271, Thyroidectomy, substernal component, only left lobe removed.

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stannler

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Loveland, CO
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Our physician performed a cervical approach LT hemithyroidectomy with substernal component, but did not remove the right lobe. Does 60271 only apply to a TOTAL Thyroidectomy? What are coders doing in this case? It appears there is conflicting information regarding 60271 requiring a total thyroidectomy. So it seems that it should be either 60220-LT with a modifier 22 for increased procedural services due to the substernal component OR 60271 (does not allow modifier 50, RT, LT) with modifier 52 reduced services (due to only one lobe removed). Any advice? What is everyone doing in this case?
 
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My coding references state you can code 60271 when only 1 lobe is removed:
4116
When we do thyroidectomy that entails the substernal tissue we use the 60271. If only 1 lobe is removed, I code the 60271 as long as the op note states the substernal thyroid tissue was addressed.
 
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You may use 60271 when the provider performs a subtotal or partial thyroidectomy with removal of a substernal thyroid mass by a cervical approach.
As per the AAPC Coder, totally agree w/Totethebible!

Jennifer
Coding Analyst
 
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