Billing code 60505: Parathyroid explorationMedicare rate & RVUs in Texas
Reports parathyroid exploration that includes exploration of the mediastinum, such as when a suspected ectopic parathyroid gland lies in the chest.
CMS doesn’t publish an office rate for 60505 in Texas.
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 60505 covers
This operation explores the mediastinum as part of locating or treating parathyroid disease, including when the surgeon suspects ectopic parathyroid tissue in the chest. A parathyroidectomy may be performed, and thymectomy is included when done as part of the mediastinal exploration. Endocrine, general, or head-and-neck surgeons typically perform the procedure in an operating room, usually in a hospital setting.
Choose this code when the operative work includes mediastinal exploration, rather than a parathyroid exploration confined to the neck. The operative report should describe the mediastinal exploration and the parathyroid findings, removal, and any thymectomy performed. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and others are subject to the standard 50% multiple-procedure reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. An assistant at surgery 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 60505 pays more and less in Texas
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
8 of 8 payment localities
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | Unavailable | $1,208.87 |
| Beaumont | Unavailable | $1,161.74 |
| Brazoria | Unavailable | $1,179.01 |
| Dallas | Unavailable | $1,189.98 |
| Fort Worth | Unavailable | $1,188.00 |
| Galveston | Unavailable | $1,184.94 |
| Houston | Unavailable | $1,244.79 |
| Rest Of Texas | Unavailable | $1,172.16 |
How the 60505 rate is calculated
Each of 60505’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 · 60505
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 22.48Practice expense 10.18Malpractice 3.27
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 60505
60505 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 60505
Parathyroid exploration
| 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 · 60505
Parathyroid exploration
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
60505 without 51 · national facility
$1,200.09
Parathyroid exploration
60505-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$600.05
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%).
60505 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
60505 vs 60500 vs 60502 vs 60520: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 60500Parathyroid surgery
- 60500 describes parathyroid exploration without mediastinal exploration. Choose 60505 when the surgeon also explores the mediastinum.
- 60502Parathyroid exploration
- 60502 is for re-exploration of the parathyroid glands. The distinction is prior exploration, not whether mediastinal exploration is included.
- 60520Thymectomy
- 60520 describes thymectomy through a transcervical approach. With 60505, thymectomy is included when performed as part of parathyroid mediastinal exploration.
60505 billing questions
How does 60505 differ from 60500?
Use 60505 when the operation includes mediastinal exploration. Use 60500 for parathyroid exploration without that mediastinal work.
Does 60505 include thymectomy?
Yes, thymectomy is included when performed as part of the mediastinal exploration. Do not separately report a thymectomy code for that included work.
Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral exploration?
No. The CMS bilateral adjustment does not apply to 60505, and modifier 50 is inappropriate.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
May an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
An assistant at surgery may be paid. Co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation; 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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