FAQs

• Insurance coverage varies by procedure, by plan, and by patient. It is not universal at this time.
• RFA now has its own billing codes. As of January 1, 2025, thyroid radiofrequency ablation is billed under CPT 60660 (one or more nodules in a single lobe or the isthmus, including imaging guidance) and CPT 60661 (add-on when an additional lobe is treated in the same session). These replaced the old unlisted code 60699 and are recognized by Medicare, which has made coverage significantly more attainable than it was a few years ago.
• Billing codes for the other procedures:
  
  • PEI / ethanol — 60300
  • Laser — 0673T
  • TAE / embolization — 37243
  • Microwave (MWA) and nsPFA — no dedicated code yet; these are typically billed under the unlisted code 60699, offered through a clinical trial, or handled as self-payBilling codes for the other procedures:
    
    • PEI / ethanol — 60300
    • Laser — 0673T
    • TAE / embolization — 37243
    • Microwave (MWA) and nsPFA — no dedicated code yet; these are typically billed under the unlisted code 60699, offered through a clinical trial, or handled as self-pay
• A billing code is not a guarantee of coverage. There is no national coverage policy for thyroid ablation, so decisions are made case by case based on medical necessity, and criteria differ between insurers. Many plans require prior authorization.
• Many patients still opt to pay out of pocket, which may be comparable to the out-of-pocket cost of thyroid surgery.
• Please call your insurance company to verify coverage. Ask specifically about the code for the procedure you are considering, and whether prior authorization is required.
• If your procedure is denied coverage by insurance, you can submit an appeal letter. We have a template for this here.

This is general information, not medical or insurance advice. Coverage depends on your specific plan, your diagnosis, and your insurer’s current policy.

What does it cost if insurance doesn’t cover it?

• Costs vary widely by region, facility, and case. Published self-pay ranges for thyroid RFA generally fall between $5,000 and $20,000, with most patients in the lower-to-middle part of that range.
• What drives the difference: where you live, whether the procedure is done in an office versus a hospital (office is usually less), how many nodules are treated, their size and location, and whether a second session is likely. It can be quite unpredictable.
• If you have Medicare, costs are more predictable. In 2026, Part B carries a $283 annual deductible and 20% coinsurance once it is met.
• Questions worth asking the practice directly:
  • What is your all-in self-pay price, and what does it include — consultation, imaging, procedure, follow-up ultrasounds?
  • Is there a discount for paying in full at the time of service?
  • Do you offer payment plans or work with a medical financing company?
  • If a second session is needed, is it charged at full price?
  • Will you help me submit a claim for reimbursement if you are out of network?
• Ask for the total in writing before you schedule. Some quotes cover only the procedure, with consultation, imaging, and follow-up billed separately.
• It is fair to compare against what surgery would cost you. Thyroidectomy involves an operating room, general anesthesia, a hospital stay, and often lifelong thyroid hormone medication — the honest comparison includes those long-term costs.

Figures reflect publicly published ranges and are for general orientation only. They are not a quote, and we have no financial relationship with any practice listed on this site.