Billing code 60280: Duct lesion excisionMedicare rate & RVUs in Georgia
Reports surgical removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus, a midline neck remnant that may be excised with or without part of the hyoid bone.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 60280 in Georgia.
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 9 sections
What 60280 covers
This operation removes a thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus, typically a congenital midline neck lesion that may become infected or form a draining tract. The surgeon follows and excises the duct remnant; the procedure may include removal of the central portion of the hyoid bone. Otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons commonly perform it in a hospital operating room, with general surgeons also performing the operation.
Select this code when the operative diagnosis and findings identify a thyroglossal duct remnant, rather than a lesion arising in the thyroid gland. The operative report should support the lesion’s location and the excision performed, including whether the hyoid was removed. This major surgery has a 90-day global period that includes the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Bilateral adjustment is inappropriate for this midline structure. An assistant may be paid; 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.
Where 60280 pays more and less in Georgia
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | Unavailable | $419.52 |
| Rest Of Georgia | Unavailable | $396.57 |
How the 60280 rate is calculated
Each of 60280’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 · 60280
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.01
6.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense5.33
5.33 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.93
0.93 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
12.2700
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$409.83
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 60280
60280 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 60280
Duct lesion excision
| 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 · 60280
Duct lesion excision
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
60280 without 51 · national facility
$409.83
Duct lesion excision
60280-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$204.92
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%).
60280 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
4 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 60281Duct lesion excision
- This code describes excision of a thyroglossal duct lesion; 60281 is the corresponding code when the lesion is recurrent.
- 60200Thyroid surgery
- Use 60280 for a thyroglossal duct remnant in the neck. Use 60200 for a cyst or adenoma of the thyroid or transection of its isthmus.
- 42810Neck cyst excision
- 60280 is for a thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus; 42810 describes excision of a branchial cleft lesion.
60280 billing questions
How is this code different from 60281?
60280 describes excision of a thyroglossal duct cyst or sinus. Use 60281 when the lesion is recurrent.
How can I distinguish this from 60200?
60280 is for a thyroglossal duct remnant in the neck. 60200 is for a cyst or adenoma arising in the thyroid or for transection of the thyroid isthmus.
Does removing the hyoid change the code?
No. The code covers excision with or without removal of the hyoid bone; the operative report should document what was removed.
Can modifier 50 be reported for bilateral surgery?
No. The lesion is associated with a midline duct remnant, and CMS bilateral adjustment is inappropriate for this code.
How are assistant and co-surgeon claims handled?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, while team surgery is not permitted.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
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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