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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBreast Biopsy ProceduresCPT cpt-19081-stereotactic-percutaneous-breast-biopsy-single-lesion
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    CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

    Medicare pays $497 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 19081 describes a percutaneous stereotactic breast biopsy in which the provider obtains tissue from a single lesion and may place a localization device during the same encounter; the service is a image-guided biopsy procedure typically performed in an outpatient radiology or breast center setting using stereotactic guidance for targeted tissue sampling and optional marker or localization placement.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Removal of Implantable, Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Service, Surgical Procedures.

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    Table of contents

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    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.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    19083Stereotactic guidance for biopsy, with placement of breast localization device when performed; first lesion, including imaging guidance and placement of localization deviceAlternative 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.
    19085Percutaneous 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.
    77031Magnetic 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.
    76000Fluoroscopic 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.
    11042Incision 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.

    Related Modifiers

    10 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207K00000X
    207L00000X
    208M00000X
    213ER0200X
    163WR1000X
    261QR0401X
    2471M1202X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    22 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C50.111Malignant neoplasm of central portion of right female breast
    C50.112Malignant neoplasm of central portion of left female breast
    C50.121Malignant neoplasm of central portion of right male breast
    C50.122Malignant neoplasm of central portion of left male breast
    C50.511Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of right female breast
    C50.512Malignant neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of left female breast
    C50.611Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of right female breast
    C50.612Malignant neoplasm of axillary tail of left female breast
    C50.911Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast
    C50.912Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast

    Showing 1–10 of 22

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Removal of ImplantableBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2026-10-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of ServiceUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Surgical ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Surgical or Diagnostic Procedures in AdultsPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Select — Site of Service for Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (ASC Select)Premera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Site of Service Ambulatory Service Center (ASC) SelectPremera Bluecross2026-09-01
    Medical Necessity Guidelines Inpatient Surgical CareMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-08-01
    Outpatient Surgical Procedures - Site of Servicesierra health and life2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-19082-STEREOTACTIC-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-ADDITIONAL-LESION

    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 Optional Localization

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

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

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

    CPT 19100: Breast Core Needle Biopsy for Lesion Diagnosis

    CPT-19101-BREAST-OPEN-INCISIONAL-BIOPSY

    CPT 19101: Open Incisional Biopsy of Breast Lesion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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