CPT code 60252: Thyroidectomy, malignancy, limited neck dissection2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in El Centro, CA
Reports total or subtotal thyroid removal for malignancy when the surgeon also performs a limited dissection of regional neck lymph nodes.
In El Centro, CA, Medicare pays $1,156.09 for 60252 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 60252 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 60252 covers
This operation removes all or most of the thyroid for malignancy and includes a limited neck dissection. It is typically performed by an endocrine or head and neck surgeon in an operating room when thyroid cancer treatment calls for removal of the gland along with a limited group of regional neck nodes. The extent of thyroid removal and nodal surgery distinguishes this service from thyroidectomy without neck dissection or more extensive neck surgery.
Report the code when the operative documentation supports malignancy, total or subtotal thyroid removal, and the limited neck dissection performed. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How El Centro, CA compares for 60252
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 60252 runs from $1,064.52 in Arkansas to $1,493.83 in Alaska. El Centro, CA pays $1,156.09. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- El Centro, CA · this page$1,156.09
- Bakersfield, CA · California$1,167.23+$11.14
- Chico, CA · California$1,155.38−$0.71
- Fresno, CA · California$1,155.38−$0.71
- Hanford, CA · California$1,155.38−$0.71
- Los Angeles, CA · California$1,218.62+$62.53
- Madera, CA · California$1,155.38−$0.71
Other areas in California first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $1,255.25 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $1,203.13 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $1,201.31 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $1,190.39 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $1,185.53 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $1,197.49 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $1,300.57 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $1,295.72 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $1,332.52 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $1,312.70 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $1,169.11 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $1,196.25 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $1,185.62 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $1,206.85 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $1,248.26 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $1,155.38 |
| Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia | — | $1,290.38 |
| Miami, FLFlorida | — | $1,409.88 |
| Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,370.03 |
| Manhattan, NYNew York | — | $1,359.90 |
| AlaskaAlaska | — | $1,493.83 |
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $1,076.91 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $1,064.52 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $1,148.28 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $1,176.52 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $1,247.59 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $1,164.07 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $1,298.11 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $1,236.41 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $1,214.64 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $1,171.62 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $1,162.42 |
| IowaIowa | — | $1,065.58 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $1,078.01 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $1,297.79 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $1,231.23 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $1,302.46 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $1,082.10 |
| KansasKansas | — | $1,077.32 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $1,131.15 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $1,179.27 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $1,136.01 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $1,254.36 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $1,178.16 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $1,247.30 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $1,178.02 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $1,099.26 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $1,123.22 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $1,265.38 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $1,169.34 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $1,087.57 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $1,155.96 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $1,163.68 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $1,130.94 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $1,097.11 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $1,178.43 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $1,105.84 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $1,094.00 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $1,065.42 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $1,173.98 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,284.66 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $1,250.60 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $1,180.88 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $1,155.22 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $1,407.17 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $1,271.26 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $1,345.75 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $1,120.39 |
| OhioOhio | — | $1,152.08 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $1,112.75 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $1,189.12 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $1,135.08 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $1,232.24 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $1,144.69 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $1,180.09 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $1,187.47 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $1,133.06 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $1,084.02 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $1,083.63 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $1,182.41 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $1,139.85 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $1,150.20 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $1,163.64 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $1,162.30 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $1,157.69 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $1,235.84 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $1,148.60 |
| UtahUtah | — | $1,145.01 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $1,131.36 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $1,180.09 |
| VermontVermont | — | $1,105.07 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $1,170.87 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $1,260.94 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $1,066.61 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $1,198.36 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $1,141.64 |
60252 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 60252 rate is calculated
Each of 60252’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 60252
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work21.46
21.46 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense9.56
9.56 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice4.27
4.27 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
35.2900
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$1,178.72
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact El Centro, CA inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
6,703
- Code
- 60252
- Physician work
- 21.46
- Practice expense
- 9.56
- Malpractice
- 4.27
GPCI2026.csv
10
- Locality
- El Centro, CA
- Physician work
- 1.017
- Practice expense
- 1.096
- Malpractice
- 0.541
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 21.46 | × 1.017 | 21.8248 |
| Practice expense | 9.56 | × 1.096 | 10.4778 |
| Malpractice | 4.27 | × 0.541 | 2.3101 |
| Total RVUs | 34.6127 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, El Centro, CA$1156.09
Facility: (21.46 × 1.017 + 9.56 × 1.096 + 4.27 × 0.541) × $33.4009 = $1156.09
Payment rules and modifiers for 60252
60252 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 60252
Thyroidectomy, malignancy, limited neck dissection
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 2 | Paid. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.09/0.82/0.09 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 60252
Thyroidectomy, malignancy, limited neck dissection
90-day global period ends
Dec 30, 2026
Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
60252 without 51 · national facility
$1,178.72
Thyroidectomy, malignancy, limited neck dissection
60252-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$589.36
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
How 60252 has changed in El Centro, CA
60252 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,156.09 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,156.09 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,156.09 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,156.09 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,276.67 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,276.67 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,276.67 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,276.67 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,308.45 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,308.45 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,308.45 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $1,308.45 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,287.09 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,330.87 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,330.87 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,330.87 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,330.87 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,349.82 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,349.82 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,349.82 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,349.82 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.05 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.05 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.05 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.05 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,366.22 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,366.22 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,366.22 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,366.22 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,352.12 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,352.12 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,352.12 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,352.12 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.42 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.42 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.42 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,343.42 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,359.29 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,359.29 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,359.29 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $1,359.29 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the El Centro, CA rate applies
El Centro, CA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 18 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- El Centro
- Bombay Beach
- Brawley
- Calexico
- Calipatria
- Desert Shores
- El Centro Naval Air Facility
- Heber
60252 billing questions
When should this code be chosen over 60240?
Use 60252 when the thyroidectomy is for malignancy and includes a limited neck dissection. Use 60240 for total or complete thyroidectomy without that limited dissection.
How does this differ from 60254?
60252 describes malignancy thyroidectomy with limited neck dissection; 60254 is used when the neck dissection is more extensive.
Should modifier 50 be reported?
No. The anatomy and service represented by this code make modifier 50 inappropriate.
What documentation supports reporting 60252?
The operative report should establish malignancy, whether total or subtotal thyroid removal was performed, and the limited neck dissection and nodal extent.
How are other same-session procedures and surgical assistance handled?
Under the multiple-procedure rule, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are paid at 50%. Assistant-at-surgery payment may be available; co-surgeons need supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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