Summary & Overview
CPT 19082: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Additional Lesion
CPT code 19082 represents a stereotactically guided percutaneous breast biopsy performed for each additional separately reportable lesion beyond the first, with optional concurrent placement of a localization device. This procedure code is important nationally because it captures additional lesion sampling during breast diagnostic workups, which affects encounter coding, resource use, and multisite lesion management. Payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will gain a concise clinical and billing context for 19082, including the procedure’s role in breast imaging workflows, typical sites of service, and how reporting an additional-lesion biopsy differs from primary-lesion coding. The publication summarizes common modifier usage and payer considerations where available, highlights implications for documentation and billing practice, and clarifies the scope of services bundled or separately reportable. The content is aimed at coding professionals, revenue cycle managers, and clinical leaders who need to align documentation with billing for stereotactic breast biopsies. Data not available in the input will be explicitly noted in the relevant sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 19082 describes a percutaneous, stereotactically guided breast biopsy performed on each additional separately reportable lesion after the first. The provider may place a localization device at the same time.
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Service type: Image-guided percutaneous breast biopsy for additional lesions.
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Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging suite, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital outpatient department where stereotactic breast procedures are performed.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 56-year-old woman with a screening mammogram showing multiple suspicious calcifications in both breasts is referred for stereotactic core needle biopsy. Under moderate sedation in an outpatient breast imaging suite or ambulatory surgical center, the radiologist performs stereotactic-guided percutaneous sampling of the first lesion and then proceeds to obtain tissue from an additional, separately reportable lesion in the same breast. A localization clip may be placed at the time of biopsy to mark the sampled site for future surgical planning. Typical workflow includes pre-procedure consent and imaging review, stereotactic targeting using mammographic compression, percutaneous core sampling of each targeted lesion, placement of localization device or clip as indicated, hemostasis and sterile dressing, and post-procedure observation before discharge. Typical site of service is an outpatient hospital radiology department or an ambulatory surgical center where stereotactic breast biopsy equipment is available.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Provider is the usual or primary performing practitioner | Use for a routine, uncomplicated professional service when this surgeon or radiologist is the primary provider of the biopsy procedure |
22 | Unusual procedural services | Use when the biopsy required substantially greater work or complexity than usual (extensive procedure time, difficult access) |
23 | Unusual anesthesia | Use when general anesthesia is medically necessary for the biopsy instead of typical local or moderate sedation |
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician’s interpretation and technical portion is billed by facility or equipment owner |
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the same additional-lesion biopsy is performed on both breasts and payer accepts bilateral modifier for this code |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the biopsy was started but not completed or fewer samples obtained than typical |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate the additional biopsy is distinct from another separate procedure performed on the same day (when payer rules permit) |
76 | Repeat procedure by same provider | Use when the stereotactic biopsy of an additional lesion is repeated later the same day by the same provider |
77 | Repeat procedure by another provider | Use when repeated by a different provider on the same day (note: 77 is not in the provided list; excluded) |
78 | Unplanned return to operating/procedure room | Use when the patient returns to the procedure area for complications related to the biopsy (e.g., bleeding control) |
80 | Assistant at surgery | Use when a surgical assistant participates and payer requires modifier for assistant services |
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure was partially reduced due to patient factors or technical limitations |
59 | Distinct procedural service | Use to indicate separate lesions sampled are separately reportable when documentation supports distinct targeted sites |
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
207RC0000X | Radiology – Diagnostic Radiology | Radiologists commonly perform stereotactic breast biopsies in imaging suites |
208000000X | Surgery – General Surgery | General surgeons with breast specialization may perform image-guided breast biopsies in an outpatient setting |
207V00000X | Radiology – Vascular & Interventional Radiology | Interventional radiologists perform image-guided percutaneous breast procedures |
163W00000X | Obstetrics & Gynecology – Gynecologic Oncology | Gynecologic oncologists with breast training are less common but may be involved in multidisciplinary care |
2084P0800X | Surgery – Surgical Oncology | Surgical oncologists involved in breast disease may perform or coordinate biopsies and localization |
Related Diagnoses
| ICD-10 Code | Description | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
C50.912 | Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of right female breast | Suspicious imaging findings may require stereotactic biopsy to confirm malignancy |
C50.911 | Malignant neoplasm of unspecified site of left female breast | Same as above for left-sided lesions requiring tissue diagnosis |
N60.11 | Solitary cyst of right breast | Complex or atypical cystic findings may prompt image-guided biopsy to exclude malignancy |
N60.12 | Solitary cyst of left breast | Biopsy considered when cyst has suspicious solid components or atypical imaging features |
R92.8 | Other abnormal and inconclusive findings on diagnostic imaging of breast | Common indication for stereotactic biopsy when imaging is suspicious but non-diagnostic |
R92.1 | Abnormal and inconclusive mammogram | Direct indication for targeted biopsy of radiographically suspicious lesions |
N63 | Unspecified lump in breast | Palpable or nonpalpable lesions identified on imaging often sampled with stereotactic guidance |
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|---|---|
19083 | Stereotactic guided breast biopsy; with placement of localization device(s) when performed, breast, each additional lesion | Alternate/add-on code when localization device placement is performed with additional lesion sampling; closely related to 19082 when both sampling and localization occur |
19081 | Stereotactic guided breast biopsy; with placement of localization device(s) when performed, breast, initial lesion | Used for the first separately reportable lesion; 19082 is reported for each additional lesion after this initial code |
19125 | Excision, breast lesion identified by preoperative placement of radiological marker | May follow diagnostic biopsy if surgical excision is planned for the sampled lesion marked with a clip or localization device |
19281 | Placement of breast localization device(s) (e.g., radioactive seed, wire) for later excision, single lesion, percutaneous | Performed when localization is placed for surgical guidance; may be done at the time of biopsy or separately |
77032 | Stereotactic breast biopsy, including stereotactic guidance; percutaneous needle core, using vacuum-assisted biopsy device, single lesion | Imaging guidance code for stereotactic biopsy technique that may be reported by the facility; closely related imaging/procedure code |