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The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the anterior aspect of the neck, playing a crucial role in regulating various metabolic processes in the body. A thyroid cyst is defined as a fluid-filled sac that can develop within the thyroid gland. These cysts can vary significantly in size, ranging from small to large, and may manifest suddenly or develop gradually over time. The composition of thyroid cysts can also differ; some may be entirely filled with fluid, while others may contain both fluid and solid components. The procedure coded as CPT® 60300 involves the aspiration and/or injection into a thyroid cyst. During this procedure, the physician palpates the thyroid gland to locate the cyst accurately. Following this, the skin over the cyst is cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A needle is then carefully inserted into the cyst to aspirate, or drain, the fluid contained within. In some cases, this aspiration may be followed by the injection of a medication, such as ethanol, which is intended to destroy the cyst and prevent its recurrence. This procedure is typically performed to alleviate symptoms associated with the cyst or to address concerns regarding its nature.
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The procedure coded as CPT® 60300 is indicated for the management of thyroid cysts. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® 60300 involves several key steps that ensure the effective aspiration and/or injection into the thyroid cyst. The first step is the palpation of the thyroid gland, where the physician carefully examines the neck to locate the cyst accurately. This is crucial for ensuring that the needle is inserted into the correct area. Once the cyst is identified, the skin over the cyst is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection during the procedure. Following the cleansing, a sterile needle is inserted into the cyst. The physician then aspirates the fluid from the cyst, which involves drawing the fluid out through the needle. This step is essential for relieving any pressure and discomfort caused by the cyst. In some cases, after the aspiration, the physician may proceed to inject a medication, such as ethanol, into the cyst. This injection aims to destroy the cyst and prevent it from reforming. The entire procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting and may require ultrasound guidance to enhance accuracy.
After the completion of the aspiration and/or injection procedure, patients are generally monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care may include instructions to avoid strenuous activities for a specified time to allow for proper healing. Patients may also be advised to observe the injection site for any signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and to monitor for any recurrence of the cyst. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms or concerns to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | ASPIR/INJ THYROID CYST | Medium Descr | ASPIRATION AND/OR INJECTION THYROID CYST | Long Descr | Aspiration and/or injection, thyroid cyst | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule) | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 12 - Other therapeutic endocrine procedures |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | X4 | Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period | X5 | Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2008-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2008. |
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