Summary & Overview
CPT 77061: Digital Tomosynthesis of One Breast, Diagnostic
CPT code 77061 denotes digital tomosynthesis of a single breast performed for diagnostic purposes. The technique acquires multiple low-dose projection images that are reconstructed into thin slices to isolate breast tissue layers, improving lesion detection and reducing tissue overlap. Nationally, this code is central to contemporary breast imaging workflows as digital tomosynthesis supplements or replaces conventional mammography in many diagnostic scenarios, affecting utilization, payer coverage determinations, and imaging pathway design.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical role of tomosynthesis, common billing considerations, typical sites of service, and the set of modifiers frequently reported with this service. The publication summarizes how 77061 fits into diagnostic breast imaging service lines and highlights operational implications for imaging centers and radiology departments.
This material focuses on national policy and billing context rather than state-specific rules. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 77061 describes digital tomosynthesis, one breast, diagnostic. This procedure uses digital mammography technology to capture multiple low-dose images of the breast at different angles, which are reconstructed into thin slices to isolate breast tissue layers and improve visualization of structures within a single breast.
Service type: Diagnostic breast imaging — digital tomosynthesis (single breast)
Typical site of service: Outpatient imaging center or hospital radiology department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old woman presents to the breast imaging center after her primary care provider noted a focal area of architectural distortion on prior screening mammography and she reports a new, nonpalpable area of concern in the upper outer quadrant of her right breast. The radiology scheduling team books a diagnostic breast tomosynthesis (digital breast tomosynthesis of one breast) to obtain high-resolution, thin-slice images to further characterize the finding.
The clinical workflow: the patient checks in at an outpatient imaging center; technologist confirms identity and clinical indication; prior images are retrieved and reviewed; the radiologic technologist performs a diagnostic digital tomosynthesis examination of the right breast using a dedicated mammography unit, acquiring multiple thin-section images; images are sent to the radiologist for interpretation; the radiologist reviews tomosynthesis with comparison views, documents findings and recommendations (additional spot compression, ultrasound, biopsy if indicated), and reports are routed to the referring clinician and patient portal as appropriate.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the physician interpretation of the tomosynthesis study separate from technical services. |