If the radiologist performs a breast biopsy with clip placement, don’t forget to report +19295 (Image-guided placement, metallic localization clip, percutaneous, during breast biopsy).
Tip: If the radiologist performs the breast biopsy using stereotactic guidance, payers include a follow-up mammogram in the guidance codes. So if the radiologist performs a follow-up mammogram to confirm clip placement, you should not report the mammo-gram separately.
When your radiologist performs a stereotactic breast biopsy, you first need to determine which biopsy code to report. You’ll have to decide between 19102 (Biopsy of breast; percutaneous, needle core, using imaging guidance) and 19103 (… percutaneous, automated vacuum assisted or rotating biopsy device, using imaging guidance) based on the documentation your radiologist provides.
How to choose: "The difference between 19102 and 19103 is that 19102 is only the needle core biopsy using imaging," explains Karen Caputo, CCS-P, certified coder for the University of Toledo Physicians in Ohio. You’ll see the radiologist use a different device (also with imaging) for 19103.
19102: You’ll use 19102 when your physician documents that he simply inserts the device and then pulls out a core of tissue, says Laura Singleton, billing specialist at the Center for Surgery & Breast Health in Joliet, Ill. Keep in mind that your physician may make several "passes" in order to ensure that he has obtained a sufficient sample for pathology, Singleton adds.
Key: For both 19102 and 19103, report one unit per lesion -- not per sample -- unless your payer tells you otherwise in writing.
19103: Code 19103, like 19102, reflects a percutaneous procedure, but for 19103 the physician uses a "more sophisticated device that has suction or a rotating action to obtain the sample," Singleton explains.
For example, the radiologist may use a Mammotome device, which vacuums, cuts, and removes tissue samples.
"Generally 19103 is the code to use for stereotactic biopsies because of the automated vacuum assisted or rotating device that is used
Tip: If the radiologist performs the breast biopsy using stereotactic guidance, payers include a follow-up mammogram in the guidance codes. So if the radiologist performs a follow-up mammogram to confirm clip placement, you should not report the mammo-gram separately.
When your radiologist performs a stereotactic breast biopsy, you first need to determine which biopsy code to report. You’ll have to decide between 19102 (Biopsy of breast; percutaneous, needle core, using imaging guidance) and 19103 (… percutaneous, automated vacuum assisted or rotating biopsy device, using imaging guidance) based on the documentation your radiologist provides.
How to choose: "The difference between 19102 and 19103 is that 19102 is only the needle core biopsy using imaging," explains Karen Caputo, CCS-P, certified coder for the University of Toledo Physicians in Ohio. You’ll see the radiologist use a different device (also with imaging) for 19103.
19102: You’ll use 19102 when your physician documents that he simply inserts the device and then pulls out a core of tissue, says Laura Singleton, billing specialist at the Center for Surgery & Breast Health in Joliet, Ill. Keep in mind that your physician may make several "passes" in order to ensure that he has obtained a sufficient sample for pathology, Singleton adds.
Key: For both 19102 and 19103, report one unit per lesion -- not per sample -- unless your payer tells you otherwise in writing.
19103: Code 19103, like 19102, reflects a percutaneous procedure, but for 19103 the physician uses a "more sophisticated device that has suction or a rotating action to obtain the sample," Singleton explains.
For example, the radiologist may use a Mammotome device, which vacuums, cuts, and removes tissue samples.
"Generally 19103 is the code to use for stereotactic biopsies because of the automated vacuum assisted or rotating device that is used
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