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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision Procedures on the TestisCPT cpt-54500-testicular-needle-biopsy
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    CPT 54500: Testicular Needle Biopsy, Percutaneous

    Medicare pays $68 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 54500 describes a percutaneous testicular needle biopsy in which the provider removes a tissue sample from one or both testicles for microscopic examination; the service is a diagnostic tissue biopsy typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center, hospital outpatient department, or procedure room and is coded as a surgical biopsy of the testis.

    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 man presents to a urology clinic with a firm, non-tender testicular mass detected by self-exam and confirmed on scrotal ultrasound. The urologist schedules an office-based percutaneous testicular biopsy using a needle under local anesthesia to obtain tissue for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Pre-procedure workflow includes informed consent, review of coagulation status and medications (holding anticoagulants per local policy), and ultrasound localization. The procedure is performed with the patient in supine position, sterile field preparation, local infiltration anesthesia, and real-time ultrasound guidance. A core needle is advanced into one or both testicles and multiple samples are obtained, placed in formalin and sent to pathology. Post-procedure monitoring includes hemostasis, scrotal support, brief observation for bleeding or vasovagal reaction, and discharge with wound care instructions and return precautions. The pathology report provides microscopic diagnosis to guide further management such as surveillance, orchiectomy, or oncologic therapy.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    51702Insertion of temporary bladder catheter; simple (e.g., intermittent catheterization)May be performed if urinary retention or bladder drainage is required perioperatively.
    76942Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization)Commonly used to guide needle placement during percutaneous testicular biopsy.
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationTypical pathology code for core biopsy tissue evaluation and diagnosis.
    54150Circumcision, neonatal or child; simpleNot directly related but listed as a genitourinary procedure performed by urologists; included only when additional GU procedures are performed.
    54640Orchiectomy, simple; radical inguinal orchiectomyDefinitive surgical procedure often performed after diagnostic biopsy confirms testicular malignancy.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    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…
    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…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    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
    163W00000X
    207L00000X
    101YS0200X
    2278G1100X
    364SE0003X
    261QR0405X
    156FX1800X
    261QM1100X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: General Surgery1 / 2

    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-54505-OPEN-SURGICAL-TESTICULAR-BIOPSY

    CPT 54505: Open Scrotal Testicular Biopsy

    CPT-54512-EXCISION-TESTIS-LESION-NON-PARENCHYMAL

    CPT 54512: Excision of Nonparenchymal Testicular Lesion

    CPT-54520-ORCHIECTOMY-SCROTAL-INGUINAL-APPROACH

    CPT 54520: Orchiectomy with or without Testicular Prosthesis

    CPT-54522-PARTIAL-EXCISION-TESTIS-BENIGN-TUMOR-CYST

    CPT 54522: Partial Excision of One or Both Testes for Benign Tumor or Cyst

    CPT-54530-RADICAL-INGUINAL-ORCHIECTOMY-TESTICULAR-TUMOR

    CPT 54530: Radical Inguinal Orchiectomy for Testicular Tumor

    CPT-54535-RADICAL-ORCHIECTOMY-ABDOMINAL-EXPLORATION

    CPT 54535: Orchiectomy with Abdominal Exploration for Tumor

    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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