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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIntroduction Procedures on the BreastCPT cpt-19283-stereotactic-breast-lesion-localization-first-lesion
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    CPT 19283: Stereotactic Breast Lesion Localization, First Lesion

    Medicare pays $260 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 19283 describes placement of a breast lesion localization device (for example, a clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, or radioactive seed) performed under stereotactic guidance; service type: image-guided breast lesion localization; typical site of service: outpatient radiology or breast imaging suite, often performed in clinic or ambulatory imaging centers.

    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 58-year-old woman with a mammographic target lesion identified on screening mammography is scheduled for a stereotactic breast localization procedure prior to a planned surgical excisional biopsy. Under local anesthesia in an imaging suite, a radiologist or breast surgeon uses stereotactic guidance to place a localization device (such as a clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, or radioactive seed) into the targeted lesion to guide the surgeon to the exact site during subsequent operative resection. The workflow includes pre-procedure review of imaging, informed consent, stereotactic targeting with verification images, device placement, post-placement mammographic confirmation, and procedure documentation noting laterality, device type, number of lesions localized (this code billed for the first lesion), and any immediate complications. Typical site of service is an outpatient imaging center, hospital radiology department, or ambulatory surgical center.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    19081Biopsy, breast, with placement of breast localization device(s), imaging supervision and interpretation; first lesion, stereotactic guidanceA stereotactic core needle biopsy with localization may be performed at the same session; 19081 represents biopsy plus device placement when both are performed.

    | 19282 | Placement of radiopaque localization marker (eg, clip) percutaneous, any modality; for second and subsequent lesion(s) | Used when additional lesions beyond the first require localization; 19283 is billed for the first lesion.

    | 19295 | Injection for radioactive seed localization (percutaneous) | Radioactive seed localization procedures may be coded with seed-specific codes depending on payer rules and whether separate coding is required.

    | 77012 | Computed tomography guidance for placement of localization device | When CT guidance is used instead of stereotactic mammography, imaging guidance codes such as 77012 may be relevant.

    | 76000 | Fluoroscopic guidance for localization of lesion, initial localization | Fluoroscopic imaging guidance codes apply if fluoroscopy is used during localization instead of stereotactic techniques.

    | 88305 | Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination | Pathology code commonly billed after excision of a localized lesion for diagnostic evaluation.

    Related Modifiers

    6 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…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207RH0000X
    363A00000X
    207LP2900X
    208000000X
    261QM1200X
    2080P0214X
    246ZC0007X
    163WX0200X

    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-19281-BREAST-LESION-LOCALIZATION-MAMMOGRAPHIC-GUIDANCE

    CPT 19281: Mammographic-Guided Breast Lesion Localization, First Lesion

    CPT-19282-BREAST-LOCALIZATION-DEVICE-PLACEMENT-MAMMOGRAPHIC-GUIDANCE

    CPT 19282: Mammographic-Guided Breast Localization Add-On

    CPT-19284-STEREOTACTIC-BREAST-LOCALIZATION-ADD-ON

    CPT 19284: Stereotactic Add-On Breast Localization, Additional Lesion

    CPT-19285-BREAST-LESION-LOCALIZATION-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-FIRST-LESION

    CPT 19285: Ultrasound-Guided Breast Lesion Localization, First Lesion

    CPT-19286-ULTRASOUND-GUIDED-BREAST-LOCALIZATION-ADD-ON

    CPT 19286: Ultrasound-Guided Breast Localization Device Placement

    CPT-19287-MRI-GUIDED-BREAST-LESION-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 19287: MRI-Guided Breast Lesion Localization, First Lesion

    CPT-19288-MRI-GUIDED-ADD-ON-BREAST-LOCALIZATION

    CPT 19288: MRI-Guided Breast Localization, Add-on

    CPT-19294-TUMOR-CAVITY-PREPARATION-IORT-PARTIAL-MASTECTOMY

    CPT 19294: Tumor Cavity Preparation for Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

    CPT-19296-BALLOON-CATHETER-PLACEMENT-BRACHYTHERAPY-PARTIAL-MASTECTOMY

    CPT 19296: Balloon Catheter Placement for Breast Radiotherapy After Partial Mastectomy

    CPT-19297-BALLOON-CATHETER-PLACEMENT-PARTIAL-MASTECTOMY-RADIOTHERAPY

    CPT 19297: Balloon Catheter Placement for Radiotherapy at Partial Mastectomy

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    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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