Surgery: Endocrine System (Q & A) (December 2010)

December 2010 page 13 Surgery: Endocrine System Question: In the event that a left thyroid lobectomy is performed, and two days later a right thyroid lobectomy is performed, would the second procedure be reported as another unilateral lobectomy (code 60220 ) or would the second procedure be considered remaining tissue from the initial procedure (code 60260 )? Andrew Aitken, RHIA, CCS, Wichita, KS Answer: Code 60260 , Thyroidectomy, removal of all remaining thyroid tissue following previous removal of a portion of thyroid , should be reported as code 60260 represents reentering an already operated field to remove all remaining residual thyroid...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This article addresses a focused CPT coding question involving thyroid surgery in the endocrine system specialty. It is written for coders, billers, and other revenue-cycle professionals who need to interpret how a staged or related postoperative procedure is discussed in a Q&A format. The piece centers on a single scenario and references the relevant CPT procedure code and modifier in the context of a postoperative return to the operating field.

Why This Topic Matters

It helps coding professionals recognize that the article is about a specific thyroid surgery coding scenario and postoperative reporting considerations in CPT. It is relevant for anyone reviewing endocrine surgery documentation or seeking guidance on whether a follow-up procedure fits the same coding framework as the initial operation.

Article Sections

  1. December 2010 page 13

    A short Q&A entry from the December 2010 issue focusing on endocrine surgery coding. The section presents a single physician query and a coding response related to thyroid surgery reporting.

What You Will Learn

  • How the article frames a thyroid surgery coding question in a Q&A format.
  • What general postoperative reporting topic the article addresses.
  • Which CPT procedure coding issue is being discussed in relation to endocrine surgery.
  • What general modifier topic is included in the guidance.

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Billing staff
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Clinical documentation specialists

Codes Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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