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Billing code

Z726A — Aspiration, Thyroid Cyst

Thyroid cyst aspiration

Bill for needle aspiration of a thyroid cyst.

Watch for: A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid is Z771, and a core needle biopsy is Z727.

Code

Z726A

Description

Aspiration, Thyroid Cyst

FHO+ basket

Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).

Effective date

Apr 1, 2025

Termination date

No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Aspiration (needle drainage) of a thyroid cyst.

What it covers

Z726 is aspiration of a thyroid cyst (W1).

A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid gland or a nodule is Z771, a core needle biopsy is Z727, and drainage of a thyroid abscess is S786 (W1).

Billing rules

• A Z-code is an independent operative procedure (IOP), payable in addition to an assessment (GP4, SP4 §13).
• If you made the decision to do the procedure at a visit in the 12 months before, the only assessment payable that day before it is a partial assessment (specialist) or a minor assessment (family physician) (SP4 §13).
• If the decision-to-operate visit is the same day, no other consultation or assessment before the procedure that day is payable (SP4 §13).
• The visit where you decide to do the procedure (major pre-operative visit) is billed separately; the fee covers care until the first post-operative visit (SP1, SP2).
• Several IOPs at the same time by you: claim each in full, but pre- and post-operative care counts once (SP4 §13).
• No assistant or anaesthesia units are listed for this code (W1).
• Patients under 16 get an age premium of 10% to 30% (GP64).

Related codes: Z771, Z727, S786, S787

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Endocrine Surgical Procedures, Thyroid Gland, page W1; Surgical Preamble SP1–SP4.

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