Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers
CPT 38505: Superficial Lymph Node Excision / Needle Biopsy
CPT code 38505 represents the excision or needle biopsy of a superficial lymph node and is commonly used to obtain tissue for diagnosis of lymphatic or regional disease. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a frequently performed diagnostic surgical procedure that spans multiple settings — physician offices, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospital outpatient departments — and informs utilization, reimbursement, and quality measurement for surgical and oncology services.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and common care pathways that lead to use of the code. The publication summarizes billing and coding considerations, common modifiers observed with this service, and how the procedure fits into diagnostic workflows for cancers, infections, and unexplained lymphadenopathy.
The report provides national benchmarks and utilization patterns, highlights policy and coverage considerations that affect payment across major payers, and explains scenarios that commonly trigger use of 38505. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Customize your policy alerts
Sign up for cpt 38505 policy alerts
Get alerted when payer policies referencing 38505 are released or updated.
Monitor payer policy activity
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 38505 describes the excision or biopsy of a superficial lymph node using a needle technique. The procedure is performed to obtain tissue for pathologic evaluation to identify or diagnose disease processes involving the lymph node or adjacent tissues.
Service type: Superficial lymph node excision/biopsy (needle technique).
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center, hospital outpatient department, or physician office procedure room, most commonly involving cervical, axillary, or inguinal lymph nodes.