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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesBreast Biopsy ProceduresCPT cpt-19085-mri-guided-percutaneous-breast-biopsy-with-localization
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    CPT 19085: MRI-Guided Percutaneous Breast Biopsy with Optional Localization

    Medicare pays $749 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 19085 describes a percutaneous breast biopsy of a single lesion performed under magnetic resonance guidance, with the provider optionally placing a localization device during the same encounter; service type: image-guided percutaneous breast biopsy, typical site of service: outpatient imaging center or hospital-based radiology suite where MRI-guided breast procedures are performed.

    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 48-year-old woman with a suspicious enhancing mass identified on diagnostic breast MRI is referred for image-guided tissue diagnosis. She has no active infection or bleeding diathesis and has provided informed consent. On the day of service the patient is positioned prone on the MRI table with the breast immobilized in a dedicated coil. An MRI sequence localizes the target lesion, and a percutaneous biopsy approach is planned. Under magnetic resonance guidance the radiologist advances a biopsy needle into the single lesion and obtains core tissue samples. At the same session the provider may deploy a marker or localization device to guide future surgical excision if pathology is malignant or discordant. The typical site of service is an outpatient imaging center or hospital outpatient department with MRI biopsy capability. The clinical workflow includes pre-procedure history and coagulation review, MRI localization and targeting, tissue acquisition, optional placement of a localization marker, post-procedure imaging to confirm marker position, recovery and discharge instructions, and pathology processing of specimens.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    19301Mastectomy, partial (partial mastectomy, lumpectomy)Performed if biopsy and imaging confirm malignancy requiring surgical excision following localization.
    19083Biopsy, breast, with placement of breast localization device, imaging guidance; stereotacticAlternative image-guided percutaneous biopsy technique when stereotactic rather than MRI guidance is used.
    77046Magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement (eg, for biopsy, aspiration, localization); percutaneousImaging guidance code that may be reported for MRI guidance elements depending on payer bundling rules.
    19281Breast localization, placement of localization device, percutaneous, for guidance of excision of breast lesionPlacement of localization device alone is used when marker placement is required without concurrent biopsy.
    G0296Image-guidance for breast biopsy, percutaneous, MRI guidance (Medicare-specific)Medicare or payer-specific add-on/alternative codes used in some billing systems for MRI-guided breast biopsy procedures.

    Related Modifiers

    11 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…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    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…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    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…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    2080P0206X
    207R00000X
    207RP1001X
    207YX0905X
    2865M2000X
    3140N1450X
    2083P0500X

    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-19081-STEREOTACTIC-PERCUTANEOUS-BREAST-BIOPSY-SINGLE-LESION

    CPT 19081: Stereotactic Percutaneous Breast Biopsy, Single Lesion

    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-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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