Neck Dissection

Question:

My physician did a total thyroidectomy with a modified radical neck dissection.  Can I report the radical neck dissection with the thyroidectomy?

Answer:

If your physician performed the total thyroidectomy using CPT code 60240 and modified radical neck dissection (38724), both procedures may be reported during the same operative session.  The first listed code on the claim should be CPT 38724. Modifier 59 should be appended to CPT code 60240 (lower RVU) since it is bundled under the National Correct Coding Initiative.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 9/5/24.