Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

CPT code 19081 denotes a stereotactic-guided percutaneous breast biopsy for a single lesion, with optional concurrent placement of a localization device. This procedure is a common image-guided diagnostic intervention used to obtain tissue samples from suspicious breast lesions identified on mammography or digital breast tomosynthesis. Nationally, accurate coding of 19081 affects quality measurement, utilization tracking, and payment for radiology and breast-care services.

Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of what 19081 represents clinically and operationally, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape addressed in the publication. The report summarizes standard billing considerations, common modifier usage provided in the input, and relevant related procedure groupings where available.

This publication offers benchmarks and policy context relevant to radiology and breast surgery stakeholders, plus practical details on coding classification and service definition. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable; the national focus aims to support billing staff, practice managers, and policy analysts in understanding how CPT code 19081 fits into diagnostic breast care workflows.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 19081 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 19081 describes a percutaneous stereotactic-guided breast biopsy of a single lesion, performed through the skin. The procedure involves obtaining breast tissue samples using stereotactic imaging guidance and may include placement of a localization device during the same encounter.

Service type: Image-guided percutaneous breast biopsy
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology suite, breast center, or ambulatory surgical center

Data not available in the input.

Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 19081 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

Service type: Image-guided percutaneous breast biopsy
Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology suite, breast center, or ambulatory surgical center

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 52-year-old woman is referred to breast imaging after screening mammography identifies a suspicious calcified cluster in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Diagnostic stereotactic mammography confirms a single target lesion not visible on ultrasound. The interventional radiologist schedules a percutaneous stereotactic core needle breast biopsy under local anesthesia with the option to place a localization marker at the same time if pathology will guide surgery. The workflow includes pre-procedure consent and review of prior imaging, positioning in the stereotactic device, sterile preparation, administration of local anesthetic, imaging-guided placement of the biopsy needle with core tissue sampling, retrieval of samples for pathology, placement of a radiopaque clip or localization device if indicated, post-procedure imaging to document clip position, hemostasis, and brief observation with post-procedure discharge instructions.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician professional service separate from technical imaging components provided by the facility or radiology group.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional procedures are billed the same day and payer requires modifier for multiple procedure pricing.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the biopsy is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient condition or adverse event.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on the same day is separate and distinct from the stereotactic biopsy (e.g., unrelated service at a different site).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure concurrently.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team approach is medically necessary and billed per payer policy.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the biopsy on the same day.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician repeats the biopsy on the same day.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is required and documented for the procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when full biopsy protocol is not completed (listed again to highlight frequency of partial procedures).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (facility or equipment) of the imaging-guided biopsy separate from the professional component.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the left breast when laterality is required.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the right breast when laterality is required.
`GA`	Waiver of liability statement on file (payer-specific)	Use when a specific payer-required waiver is obtained and documented.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Radiology	Interventional radiologists and breast imagers commonly perform stereotactic breast biopsy.
207K00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists with breast imaging expertise perform image-guided breast biopsies.
207L00000X	Interventional Radiology	Providers performing percutaneous image-guided interventions.
163WL0200X	Surgery — General (Breast Surgery)	Breast surgeons may perform localization and coordinate with biopsy workflow.
208M00000X	Pathology	Pathologists do not perform the procedure but are essential for sample interpretation.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N63`	Unspecified lump in breast	Common indication for image-guided biopsy when a palpable or imaging-identified mass requires tissue diagnosis.
`R92.8`	Other abnormal and inconclusive findings on diagnostic imaging of breast	Used when mammographic findings are suspicious or inconclusive prompting stereotactic biopsy.
`D48.6`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of breast	Applied when imaging suggests an indeterminate lesion needing histologic classification.
`N60.3`	Fibrosclerosis of breast	Benign change that can produce suspicious imaging appearances requiring biopsy to exclude malignancy.
`C50.911`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Used when biopsy is performed for diagnosis or localization related to confirmed or suspected malignancy in the right breast.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`19083`	Stereotactic guidance for biopsy, with placement of breast localization device when performed; first lesion, including imaging guidance and placement of localization device	Alternative code when a localization device is placed with stereotactic guidance and the coding convention or payer guidance specifies this separate code for certain services; may be used if documentation aligns with its descriptor.
`19085`	Percutaneous breast biopsy, with image guidance, with placement of localization device for surgical excision; for open or percutaneous procedures (specific codes depend on guidance modality)	Used in workflows where a localization device is placed specifically to guide subsequent surgical excision; captures combined biopsy and localization procedures depending on payer rules.
`77031`	Magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement (interventional)	May be performed in lieu of stereotactic guidance for lesions better visualized on MRI; alternative image-guided modality in the diagnostic workflow.
`76000`	Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (separate procedure)	Used when fluoroscopic guidance is billed separately during localization or clip placement; relates to imaging guidance aspects of the procedure.
`11042`	Incision and drainage procedures (simple)	May be relevant if a separate minor surgical procedure (e.g., hematoma evacuation) becomes necessary as a complication; billed separately if performed.

CPT 19082: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19083-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-SINGLE-LESION

CPT 19083: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

CPT-19084-ADDITIONAL-LESION-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-BREAST-BIOPSY-LOCALIZATION

CPT 19084: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19085-MRI-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-WITH-LOCALIZATION

CPT 19085: MRI-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy with Localization

CPT-19086-MR-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-ADDITIONAL-LESION

CPT 19086: MR-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19100-BREAST-CORE-NEEDLE-BIOPSY-DIAGNOSTIC

CPT 19100: Breast Core Needle Biopsy for Tissue Diagnosis

CPT-19101-BREAST-OPEN-INCISIONAL-BIOPSY

CPT 19101: Open Incisional Breast Biopsy

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician professional service separate from technical imaging components provided by the facility or radiology group.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when additional procedures are billed the same day and payer requires modifier for multiple procedure pricing.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the biopsy is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient condition or adverse event.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another procedure on the same day is separate and distinct from the stereotactic biopsy (e.g., unrelated service at a different site).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons from different specialties perform distinct portions of the procedure concurrently.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team approach is medically necessary and billed per payer policy.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same physician	Use when the same physician repeats the biopsy on the same day.
`77`	Repeat procedure by another physician	Use when a different physician repeats the biopsy on the same day.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon is required and documented for the procedure.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when full biopsy protocol is not completed (listed again to highlight frequency of partial procedures).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (facility or equipment) of the imaging-guided biopsy separate from the professional component.
`LT`	Left side	Use to indicate the left breast when laterality is required.
`RT`	Right side	Use to indicate the right breast when laterality is required.
`GA`	Waiver of liability statement on file (payer-specific)	Use when a specific payer-required waiver is obtained and documented.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Radiology	Interventional radiologists and breast imagers commonly perform stereotactic breast biopsy.
207K00000X	Diagnostic Radiology	Diagnostic radiologists with breast imaging expertise perform image-guided breast biopsies.
207L00000X	Interventional Radiology	Providers performing percutaneous image-guided interventions.
163WL0200X	Surgery — General (Breast Surgery)	Breast surgeons may perform localization and coordinate with biopsy workflow.
208M00000X	Pathology	Pathologists do not perform the procedure but are essential for sample interpretation.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`N63`	Unspecified lump in breast	Common indication for image-guided biopsy when a palpable or imaging-identified mass requires tissue diagnosis.
`R92.8`	Other abnormal and inconclusive findings on diagnostic imaging of breast	Used when mammographic findings are suspicious or inconclusive prompting stereotactic biopsy.
`D48.6`	Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of breast	Applied when imaging suggests an indeterminate lesion needing histologic classification.
`N60.3`	Fibrosclerosis of breast	Benign change that can produce suspicious imaging appearances requiring biopsy to exclude malignancy.
`C50.911`	Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast	Used when biopsy is performed for diagnosis or localization related to confirmed or suspected malignancy in the right breast.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`19083`	Stereotactic guidance for biopsy, with placement of breast localization device when performed; first lesion, including imaging guidance and placement of localization device	Alternative code when a localization device is placed with stereotactic guidance and the coding convention or payer guidance specifies this separate code for certain services; may be used if documentation aligns with its descriptor.
`19085`	Percutaneous breast biopsy, with image guidance, with placement of localization device for surgical excision; for open or percutaneous procedures (specific codes depend on guidance modality)	Used in workflows where a localization device is placed specifically to guide subsequent surgical excision; captures combined biopsy and localization procedures depending on payer rules.
`77031`	Magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement (interventional)	May be performed in lieu of stereotactic guidance for lesions better visualized on MRI; alternative image-guided modality in the diagnostic workflow.
`76000`	Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (separate procedure)	Used when fluoroscopic guidance is billed separately during localization or clip placement; relates to imaging guidance aspects of the procedure.
`11042`	Incision and drainage procedures (simple)	May be relevant if a separate minor surgical procedure (e.g., hematoma evacuation) becomes necessary as a complication; billed separately if performed.

CPT 19082: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19083-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-SINGLE-LESION

CPT 19083: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

CPT-19084-ADDITIONAL-LESION-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-BREAST-BIOPSY-LOCALIZATION

CPT 19084: Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19085-MRI-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-WITH-LOCALIZATION

CPT 19085: MRI-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy with Localization

CPT-19086-MR-GUIDED-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-ADDITIONAL-LESION

CPT 19086: MR-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion

CPT-19100-BREAST-CORE-NEEDLE-BIOPSY-DIAGNOSTIC

CPT 19100: Breast Core Needle Biopsy for Tissue Diagnosis

CPT-19101-BREAST-OPEN-INCISIONAL-BIOPSY

CPT 19101: Open Incisional Breast Biopsy

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Catch payer policy changes before they impact reimbursement

Catch payer policy changes before they impact reimbursement

OpenPayer

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

Sign up for cpt 19081 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 19081 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are listed for use with 19081 and when are 26 and TC used?

Are there related CPT codes I should consider instead of or in addition to 19081?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are relevant to performing or supporting this procedure?

What ICD‑10 diagnosis codes are listed as related indications for 19081?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 19081 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which modifiers are listed for use with 19081 and when are 26 and TC used?

Are there related CPT codes I should consider instead of or in addition to 19081?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are relevant to performing or supporting this procedure?

What ICD‑10 diagnosis codes are listed as related indications for 19081?

References