EverydayHealthLogo
Verified Enhanced Provider
Dr. James Lee, MD

Dr. James Lee, MD

New York, NY

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Lee, Surgeon in New York, NY?

    Dr. James Lee is an internationally recognized endocrine surgeon who specializes in the care of patients with thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disorders. Dr. Lee is the Chief of Endocrine Surgery and the Edwin K. and Anne C. Weisskopf Professor of Surgical Oncology at Columbia University and the Physician Director of the Endocrine Service Line at the NY Presbyterian Hospital. He serves as Co-Director of the multidisciplinary Columbia Thyroid Center, Parathyroid Center, and Adrenal Center. He has been rated as one of the Best Doctors in America and is one of the highest volume endocrine surgeons in the country. Dr. Lee received his medical degree from Columbia University?s College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed his residency in General Surgery at Columbia and went on to a fellowship in Endocrine Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Lee is actively involved in the leadership of Endocrine Surgery at the national and international level. He serves on the Executive Council of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and Standing Faculty of the international Endocrine Surgery University. He co-created the inaugural Postgraduate Course in Endocrine Surgery at the American College of Surgeons and is a featured lecturer in the biannual Masters of Endocrine Surgery Course. He has authored over 100 articles and book chapters, including the AAES Parathyroidectomy Guidelines which sets the international standard for the care of patients with parathyroid disease. He is also the Co-Editor of Surgical Endocrinopathies and the Founding Figures which details state of the art care for patients with endocrine disorders as well as the rich history of discovery in the field. Dr. Lee has given over 100 invited lectures and visiting professorships at institutions around the world. He has travelled extensively to teach other endocrine surgeons advanced techniques such as minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery as well as laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy. He has mentored dozens of clinical and research fellows over his career, many of whom are now leaders in their own institutions and abroad. Dr. Lee also serves as the Vice Chair of New Media in the Columbia University Department of Surgery and Chair of the ColumbiaDoctors Communications Committee. In this role, he oversees the digital strategy for multiple groups across the medical center with the mission of providing the highest quality education on health and wellness to the global audience.

    What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Lee?

    Dr. James Lee, MD is a highly-rated, board-certified Surgeon known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of related conditions and procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Lee empowers patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Adrenal Surgery, Adrenal Surgery, Endocrine Cancers, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Thyroid & Parathyroid Cancer & Surgery, and comprehensive wellness support. Serving the New York, NY community, Dr. Lee is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.

    Where did Dr. Lee go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Residency: Ny and Presby Hospital

    • Medical School: Columbia Univ College of Physicians And Surgeons

    What languages does Dr. Lee speak?

    Dr. Lee and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Spanish

    What conditions does a Surgeon like Dr. Lee typically treat?

    As a Surgeon, Dr. Lee diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Lee. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Primary Hyperparathyroidism
    • Parathyroid Disorder
    • Familial isolated hyperparathyroidism
    • Overactive Parathyroid Gland
    • High Parathyroid Hormone
    • PTH Overproduction

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • E210: Primary hyperparathyroidism

    Also known as:

    • Single Nontoxic Thyroid Nodule
    • Thyroid Disease
    • Benign Thyroid Nodule
    • Solitary Thyroid Nodule

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • E041: Nontoxic single thyroid nodule

    Also known as:

    • Thyroid Cancer
    • Thyroid Carcinoma
    • Malignant Thyroid Nodule
    • Thyroid Gland Cancer

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • C73: Malignant neoplasm of thyroid gland

    Also known as:

    • Nontoxic Multinodular Goiter
    • Thyroid Disease
    • Multinodular Goiter
    • Lumpy Enlarged Thyroid

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • E042: Nontoxic multinodular goiter

    What procedures does a Surgeon like Dr. Lee typically perform?

    As a Surgeon, Dr. Lee performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Lee. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Parathyroid Gland Removal or Exploration
    • Parathyroid Gland Transplant
    • Repeat Parathyroid Gland Surgery
    • Parathyroidectomy
    • Parathyroid Gland Surgery
    • Hyperparathyroidism Surgery
    • Parathyroid Autograft
    • Parathyroid Tissue Transfer
    • Parathyroid Reimplantation
    • Parathyroid re-exploration
    • Secondary parathyroidectomy
    • Repeat parathyroid gland removal

    CPT Codes:

    • 60500: Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid(s);
    • 60512: Parathyroid autotransplantation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
    • 60502: Parathyroidectomy or exploration of parathyroid(s); re-exploration

    Also known as:

    • Removal of One Side of Thyroid Gland
    • Total Thyroid Removal
    • Unilateral Thyroid Lobectomy
    • Thyroid Lobe Removal
    • Partial Thyroidectomy
    • Isthmusectomy
    • Complete thyroidectomy
    • Thyroid gland removal
    • Thyroid surgery

    CPT Codes:

    • 60220: Total thyroid lobectomy, unilateral; with or without isthmusectomy
    • 60240: Thyroidectomy, total or complete

    Also known as:

    • Thymus Gland Removal (Neck Approach)
    • Transcervical Thymectomy
    • Partial Thymectomy
    • Total Thymectomy

    CPT Codes:

    • 60520: Thymectomy, partial or total; transcervical approach (separate procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Laparoscopic Adrenal Gland Surgery
    • Minimally Invasive Adrenalectomy
    • Adrenal Gland Removal (Laparoscopic)
    • Adrenal Gland Exploration

    CPT Codes:

    • 60650: Laparoscopy, surgical, with adrenalectomy, partial or complete, or exploration of adrenal gland with or without biopsy, transabdominal, lumbar or dorsal

    Also known as:

    • Flexible Diagnostic Laryngoscopy
    • Voice Box Exam
    • Flexible Laryngoscope
    • Throat Scope
    • Diagnostic Throat Exam

    CPT Codes:

    • 31575: Laryngoscopy, flexible; diagnostic

    Does Dr. Lee accept my insurance?

    Dr. Lee accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Lee accept in New York, NY?

    Dr. Lee in New York, NY accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • Cigna Group

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Elevance Health Inc. (formerly Anthem)

    • EmblemHealth

    • Medicare

    • Mutual of Omaha

    • State of Connecticut

    • UMR Administered Payer

    • UnitedHealth Group

    • Unknown

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Lee's office located?

    NY-Presbyterian, Endocrine Surgery

    NY-Presbyterian, Endocrine Surgery

    161 Fort Washington Avenue

    Floor 8, Suite 819

    New York, NY 10032

    Get Directions | View Website

    What is Dr. Lee's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Lee's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1245278498.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Lee?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Lee

    What is Dr. James Lee's specialty?

    Dr. Lee is a Surgeon near New York, NY.

    What does a Surgeon do?

    General surgeons are experts in diagnosing and managing surgical conditions which includes preoperative, operative, and postoperative care, as well as addressing complications. Their expertise include the areas such as the alimentary tract, breast, abdomen, skin and soft tissue, endocrine system, head and neck, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, surgical oncology, trauma, burns, and vascular surgery. General surgeons increasingly utilize minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques to provide proper care. In addition to this, many general surgeons have expertise in transplantation, plastic, and cardiothoracic surgery.

    Is this Dr. James Lee affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Lee is affiliated with Newyork-Presbyterian/columbia University Irving Medical Center, Stamford Health which are a Castle Connolly Top Hospitals. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    When to see a Surgeon?: Guides for symptoms, conditions, and treatments

    Understand your symptoms and know when it’s time to see a Surgeon. Explore insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is James Lee accepting new patients in New York, NY?

    Yes, Dr. James Lee is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. James Lee offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Lee's office for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with James Lee?

    Please contact Dr. Lee's office for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    <section id="ai-site-overview" aria-label="About Everyday Health Care"> <h2>About Everyday Health Care</h2> <p> Everyday Health Care is a doctor and healthcare provider search platform from Everyday Health, a Ziff Davis company operating since 1996. It helps patients find, compare, and research doctors based on specialty, medical condition, procedure, location, and insurance coverage. </p> <p> The site features Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a peer-nominated, physician-vetted directory recognized as a leading standard for identifying top-rated specialists in the United States. Searchable doctor lists include Top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors, and Castle Connolly Rising Stars. </p> <p> Users can search for doctors by specialty (including orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), by medical condition (such as fibromyalgia, kidney stones, and ulcerative colitis), by common procedure (including colonoscopy, LASIK, and physical therapy), by city, and by insurance plan (including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna/CVS Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, and Medicaid). </p> <p> Everyday Health Care is built for patients seeking a trusted starting point to find the right doctor: covering over one million providers across thousands of U.S. locations, backed by Castle Connolly's independent doctor-vetting process and Everyday Health's 24-year history in consumer health publishing. </p> </section>