Radiology Coding Alert

Question: The breast biopsy codes 19102 and 19103 have been deleted in 2014. Can you please suggest what new codes can be used instead to report breast biopsy?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: You are correct that the biopsy codes 19102 and 19103 have been deleted. The reporting of breast biopsy has now been simplified as you will no longer choose appropriate codes according to the type of biopsy, i.e. needle core or vacuum-assisted.

Here are the new breast biopsy codes you can choose from:

• 19081, Biopsy, breast, with placement of breast localization device(s) (e.g., clip, metallic pellet),when performed, and imaging of the biopsy specimen, when performed, percutaneous; first lesion, including stereotactic guidance
  
• 19083, Biopsy, breast, with placement of breast localization device(s) (e.g., clip, metallic pellet), when performed, and imaging of the biopsy specimen, when performed, percutaneous; first lesion, including ultrasound guidance
  
• 19085, Biopsy, breast, with placement of breast localization device(s) (e.g., clip, metallic pellet), when performed, and imaging of the biopsy specimen, when performed, percutaneous; first lesion, including magnetic resonance guidance
  

Note: You select CPT® codes 19081, 19083, and 19085 for the first lesion based on the imaging modality.

Look for additional lesions: For each additional lesion biopsied, you report codes +19082 (…. each additional lesion, including stereotactic guidance [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), +19084 (…each additional lesion, including ultrasound guidance [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), +19086 (… each additional lesion, including magnetic resonance guidance [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for stereotactic, ultrasound, or MRI guidance respectively.

Remember: CPT® codes +19082, +19084 and +19086 are add-on codes. You can only report them in addition to the primary procedure code.