Radiology Coding Alert

Question:The descriptor for 19102 states "using imaging guidance." Does that mean imaging is included in 19102, or should I report it separately? Also, how should I determine how many units of 19102 to report?Maryland SubscriberAnswer:You may report imaging guidance separately, and you should report one unit of the biopsy code per lesion sampled.Guidance: Code 19102 (Biopsy of breast; percutaneous, needle core, using imaging guidance) states "using imaging guidance." But you can rest assured that you may report guidance separately because a note with the code instructs you to see the following codes for imaging guidance performed for 19102:76942 -- Ultrasonic guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), imaging supervision and interpretation77012 -- Computed tomography guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), radiological supervision and interpretation77021 -- Magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement (e.g., for biopsy, needle aspiration, injection, or placement of localization device), radiological [...]