Summary & Overview
CPT 60545: Adrenal Exploration or Removal (Adrenalectomy)
CPT code 60545 covers exploration or removal of one or both adrenal glands, including surgical approaches and biopsy when performed. This code is used for treatment of hyperfunctioning adrenal tissue, benign or malignant adrenal tumors, and other adrenal disease. Nationally, procedures involving the adrenal glands have implications for surgical specialty services, hospital resource use, and perioperative endocrine management.
Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for adrenal surgery, typical sites of service, and the types of coverage considerations that influence authorization and site-of-care decisions. The publication summarizes common billing and coding considerations for 60545, highlights payer coverage patterns where available, and outlines the operational implications for surgical teams and revenue cycle staff.
This report provides clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts with benchmarks for code usage, a concise clinical description, and a framework for understanding how 60545 fits into broader surgical and endocrine care pathways. Data not available in the input for payer-specific rates, modality breakdowns, or ICD-10 pairings are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 60545 describes exploration or removal of one or both adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small organs above the kidneys that secrete hormones regulating metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure and immune function. The procedure includes surgical approaches and biopsy when performed and is used to treat overactive glands, benign or malignant tumors, or other adrenal disease.
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Service type: Surgical procedure — adrenalectomy or adrenal exploration, including biopsy when performed.
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center, depending on clinical complexity and patient status.
Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, specific ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and detailed payer-specific coverage rules.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient presents with episodic hypertension, headaches, and biochemical testing consistent with catecholamine excess. Imaging (CT or MRI) identifies a 3.5 cm mass in the right adrenal gland suspicious for pheochromocytoma. After endocrinology-guided preoperative optimization (alpha-then beta-blockade) and informed consent, the patient is scheduled for a right adrenalectomy. The surgical team performs a laparoscopic lateral transabdominal approach with intraoperative ultrasound localization and removal of the adrenal gland. Frozen section or targeted biopsy may be performed if margins or unexpected pathology are encountered. Typical perioperative workflow includes preoperative imaging and labs, anesthesia evaluation, intraoperative monitoring of hemodynamics, specimen submission to pathology, postoperative monitoring for hemodynamic instability and adrenal insufficiency, and endocrinology follow-up for hormone replacement if bilateral disease or functional loss occurs.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
50 | Bilateral procedure | When both adrenal glands are explored/removed during the same operative session |
62 | Two surgeons | When two surgeons of different specialties perform distinct portions of the adrenalectomy |