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Printer Friendly Version Parathyroid Autotransplantation

Parathyroid Autotransplantation

DESCRIPTION

The parathyroid glands regulate the release of parathormone, the hormone that controls calcium and phosphorus metabolism and the processing of Vitamin D. Patients with end-stage renal disease may develop secondary hyperparathyroidism when the parathyroid glands attempt to counteract deteriorating kidney function. Persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism may develop following total or subtotal parathyroidectomy. Management includes both surgical and non-surgical options.

In the event that medical management of hyperparathyroidism fails and the patient undergoes total or subtotal parathyroidectomy, parathyroid autotransplantation may be performed following surgery when the viability of the parathyroid gland is questioned.

POLICY

Parathyroid autotransplantation is considered investigational only when done as a separate procedure.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

POLICY GUIDELINES

Investigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

POLICY HISTORY

5/2000: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

2/11/2002: Investigational definition added

5/2/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

9/1/2004: “Parathyroid autotransplantation is considered investigational only when done as a separate procedure” added based on the minutes of 5/2000 MPAC

11/18/2004: Reviewed by MPAC, no changes

12/30/2004: Code Reference section completed

3/28/2005: Code Reference section reviewed, no changes

12/31/2008: Policy reviewed, no changes

SOURCE(S)

Hayes Medical Technology Directory

CODE REFERENCE

All codes billed are considered investigational and not eligible for coverage.

Non-Covered Codes

Code Number	Description
CPT-4
60699	Unlisted procedure, endocrine system Note: When parathyroid autotransplantation is performed as an add-on procedure to procedure code 60500, 60502, 60505, 60212, 60225, 60240, 60252, 60254, 60260, 60270, or 60271, use code 60512 to report the parathyroid autotransplantation procedure. When the parathyroid autotransplantation is performed as an independent procedure and not in conjunction with one of the procedures listed above, use unlisted code 60699 to report autotransplantation.
ICD-9 Procedure

ICD-9 Diagnosis

HCPCS

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