Summary & Overview
CPT 60502: Excision of Parathyroid Gland(s)
CPT code 60502 represents surgical excision of one or more parathyroid glands and is used for treatment of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid malignancy. This procedure is clinically important because it directly addresses endocrine disorders that can cause metabolic disturbances, bone disease, kidney stones, and cardiovascular complications when left untreated. Nationally, parathyroidectomy coding affects hospital and ambulatory surgery billing, surgical quality reporting, and specialty reimbursement patterns.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, common sites of service, and typical service type. The publication provides benchmarks and utilization context where available, summarizes relevant policy considerations and payer coverage themes, and outlines operational and documentation points that influence coding and claim adjudication. Where input data is missing, the report notes that specific details are not available. The content is intended for payers, surgical practices, compliance teams, and health policy analysts seeking a clear national-level overview of CPT code 60502 and its implications for billing and clinical practice.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 60502 describes the surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands, small endocrine glands located behind the thyroid. The procedure is performed to treat recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid function) or parathyroid cancer when gland excision is clinically indicated.
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Service type: Surgical parathyroidectomy (excision of parathyroid gland[s])
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center, depending on clinical complexity and patient status.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old female with a history of primary hyperparathyroidism presents with persistent hypercalcemia after failed medical management and worsening symptoms of fatigue, bone pain, and nephrolithiasis. Imaging with sestamibi scan and neck ultrasound localizes a single enlarged parathyroid gland posterior to the left thyroid lobe. The endocrine surgeon schedules a parathyroidectomy under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery center. Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, review of labs (serum calcium, PTH), informed consent, anesthesia evaluation, and marking imaging localization. Intraoperative steps include focused neck exploration, identification and removal of the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland(s), intraoperative PTH monitoring as indicated, hemostasis, and wound closure. Postoperative workflow includes recovery in PACU, monitoring of calcium levels, discharge instructions regarding hypocalcemia symptoms, and outpatient follow-up with surgical and endocrine teams.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Normal or default billing for the primary procedure | Used when the provider performs the primary service without complication or unusual circumstance |
22 |