C7501, Percutaneous breast biopsies using stereotactic guidance, with placement of
HCPCS/CPT
Prior Authorization
No Prior Auth Required
Code is covered without prior authorization (high confidence)
Documentation Required
- For tomosynthesis-only procedures billed with CPT 19499, document the name of the procedure in the claim comments/narrative field: Part B — Loop 2400 SV101-7 for 837P (Item 19 for paper claims); Part A — Line SV202-7 for 837I electronic claims and Block 80 on the UB04 form.
- Procedure notes must clearly document additional lesion(s) biopsied and specify which breast for each additional 19499 coded with modifier -59 or modifier -50.
- If a different imaging modality is used during the same date of service, documentation must clearly support the clinical necessity to switch imaging modalities when modifier -59 is appended to the additional imaging CPT code.
- For magnetic seed or SAVI SCOUT localization: documentation of depth and distance of seed/reflector relative to target on imaging (e.g., target-to-reflector distance), and any intra-operative probe localization findings.
Key Coverage Criteria
- When digital breast tomosynthesis is the only imaging guidance used for a percutaneous core needle breast biopsy, bill CPT 19499 (Unlisted procedure, breast) and document the procedure name in the claim comments/narrative.
- When tomosynthesis-only guidance is used to place a breast localization device (without biopsy), bill CPT 19499 with a clear description in the comments/narrative for Part A and Part B claims.
- If a percutaneous breast biopsy is performed using both stereotactic and tomosynthesis imaging guidance, bill CPT 19081 for the first lesion (stereotactic guidance).
- If more than one lesion is biopsied with tomosynthesis-only guidance on the same date of service, code an additional 19499 with modifier -59 for additional lesion(s) on the same breast, or use modifier -50 to indicate a bilateral procedure for lesions on the opposite breast.
- Minimally invasive image-guided breast biopsy procedures are medically necessary as alternatives to needle localization core surgical biopsy (NLBx) in members with abnormalities identified by mammography that are non-palpable or difficult to palpate (e.g., deep, mobile, small [< 2 cm], or composed of clustered microcalcifications).
- Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrument (ABBI) for non-palpable or difficult-to-palpate mammographically-identified breast abnormalities.
2 Active Policies
A57848, Billing and Coding: Tomosynthesis-Guided Breast Biopsy
AETNA-CPB-0269, Breast Biopsy Procedures
Related Codes
Have a follow-up question?
Ask Verity about documentation requirements, denial risks, or coverage in your state.