Summary & Overview
HCPCS Level II C1830: Powered Bone Marrow Biopsy Needle
HCPCS Level II code C1830 designates a powered bone marrow biopsy needle, a single-use or reusable device used to obtain bone marrow specimens via a mechanized aspiration and core sampling technique. This device-based code matters nationally because bone marrow biopsy is a common diagnostic procedure across hematology and oncology, and device selection can affect procedure efficiency, specimen quality, supply costs, and billing clarity.
Key payers included in this overview are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise briefing on clinical context for use of powered biopsy needles, how the code is categorized for billing, and typical sites of service where the device is deployed. The publication outlines common modifiers encountered in billing, notes where input data is not available, and highlights the practical implications for coding and charge capture.
This summary prepares clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts to understand where C1830 fits within supply/device billing workflows, what operational areas may be impacted (procedure setting and device procurement), and which payers commonly appear in coverage discussions. Data not available in the input includes detailed payer-specific payment rates, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service-line revenue impacts.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C1830 describes a powered bone marrow biopsy needle. This device is used to obtain bone marrow specimens using a powered, mechanized needle system rather than a manual needle.
Service type: Device for bone marrow biopsy
Typical site of service: Outpatient procedural settings, ambulatory surgery centers, hospital outpatient departments, and physician offices where bone marrow biopsies are performed
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old male with progressive unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia is referred for bone marrow evaluation to exclude myelodysplastic syndrome or marrow infiltration. After review of history and laboratory data, the hematology team schedules a bone marrow aspiration and core biopsy using a powered bone marrow biopsy needle (C1830) to improve specimen quality and reduce procedure time. The procedure is typically performed in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department. The patient is positioned prone or lateral decubitus, the posterior iliac crest is identified, and local anesthesia is administered. Using sterile technique, the powered biopsy device is advanced to obtain a core marrow specimen for histopathology and aspiration for cytogenetics and flow cytometry. Hemostasis is achieved and the patient is observed briefly for bleeding or pain before discharge. Indications include unexplained cytopenias, staging or monitoring of hematologic malignancy, evaluation of marrow involvement by solid tumors, or unexplained fevers with concern for marrow infection.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or complexity substantially exceeds usual for the powered bone marrow biopsy (eg, dense fibrotic marrow requiring prolonged attempts) |