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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision Procedures on the Thyroid GlandCPT cpt-60100-thyroid-core-needle-biopsy-image-guided
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    CPT 60100: Thyroid Core Needle Biopsy, Image-Guided

    Medicare pays $112 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 60100 describes a diagnostic core needle biopsy of the thyroid in which the provider obtains a tissue core using an automatic, spring‑powered core needle, typically performed under imaging guidance; service type: diagnostic percutaneous core biopsy; typical site of service: outpatient radiology suite, ambulatory surgical center, or clinic procedure room.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Diabetic Supplies, Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid Nodules, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only).

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 48-year-old woman presents to an outpatient endocrinology clinic with a palpable right thyroid nodule identified on routine exam and confirmed on ultrasound. The nodule measures 1.8 cm with mixed solid and cystic components and microcalcifications. The endocrinologist performs an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy using an automatic spring-powered core needle to obtain tissue for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Local anesthesia is given, real-time ultrasound is used for needle guidance, and 2 core samples are obtained. The specimen is sent to pathology with proper labeling and requisition. The patient is monitored in recovery for 30 minutes for bleeding or hematoma before discharge with instructions for wound care and return precautions.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    10021Fine needle aspiration without imaging guidanceAlternative, less invasive sampling technique; may be performed instead of or prior to core biopsy.
    10022Fine needle aspiration with imaging guidanceOften used for cytologic sampling when imaging guidance is required; may be an alternative to core biopsy.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (real-time)Performed concurrently to provide real-time ultrasound guidance during the core needle biopsy; often billed separately when criteria met.
    76937Ultrasound guidance for biopsy, localization, or placement of radiation therapy fieldsUsed when ultrasound guidance for biopsy is distinct and meets separate reporting criteria.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationTypical pathology code level for core biopsy specimen processing and interpretation; billed by pathology for tissue obtained.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RC0000X
    207Q00000X
    207L00000X
    207P00000X
    207XP3100X
    163WN0002X
    213E00000X
    332B00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Endocrinology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Diabetic SuppliesCigna2026-10-15
    Radiofrequency Ablation for Thyroid NodulesCigna2026-10-15
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) CoverageUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Delivery for Managing Diabetes (for Indiana Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Insulin PumpsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines: Continuous Glucose MonitorsMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Continuous Glucose MonitoringAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01
    Salivary Hormone TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Bone Turnover Markers TestingOscar Health2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-60200-THYROID-NODULE-EXCISION-OR-ISTHMUSECTOMY

    CPT 60200: Thyroid Nodule Excision or Isthmusectomy

    CPT-60210-THYROID-PARTIAL-LOBECTOMY-ISTHMUS-OPTIONAL

    CPT 60210: Partial Thyroid Lobectomy with or without Isthmusectomy

    CPT-60212-PARTIAL-THYROIDECTOMY-ISTHMUSECTOMY

    CPT 60212: Subtotal Thyroidectomy with Isthmusectomy

    CPT-60220-THYROID-LOBECTOMY-UNILATERAL

    CPT 60220: Thyroid Lobectomy (Hemithyroidectomy)

    CPT-60225-NEAR-TOTAL-THYROIDECTOMY

    CPT 60225: Subtotal (near-total) Thyroidectomy with Isthmusectomy

    CPT-60240-TOTAL-THYROIDECTOMY

    CPT 60240: Total Thyroidectomy, Complete Thyroid Gland Removal

    CPT-60252-TOTAL-OR-SUBTOTAL-THYROIDECTOMY-LIMITED-NECK-DISSECTION

    CPT 60252: Total or Subtotal Thyroidectomy with Limited Neck Dissection

    CPT-60254-TOTAL-OR-NEAR-TOTAL-THYROIDECTOMY-WITH-NECK-DISSECTION

    CPT 60254: Total or Near-Total Thyroidectomy with Extensive Neck Dissection

    CPT-60260-COMPLETION-THYROIDECTOMY-REMOVAL-REMAINING-THYROID

    CPT 60260: Completion Thyroidectomy

    CPT-60270-TOTAL-THYROIDECTOMY-WITH-MEDIASTINAL-EXTENSION

    CPT 60270: Thyroidectomy with Substernal or Mediastinal Extension

    Showing 1–10 of 13

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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