2025 CPT code 19287
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Surgery Feed
Placement of breast localization device(s) (e.g., clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, radioactive seeds), percutaneous; first lesion, including magnetic resonance guidance.
Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 26 is used for the professional component and Modifier TC for the technical component.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of a suspicious breast lesion requiring localization for subsequent biopsy or surgical excision. The documentation should support the need for localization and the chosen imaging modality.
The physician is responsible for prepping the patient, administering anesthesia (if necessary), using MRI guidance to visualize the lesion, inserting the localization device, verifying its placement using MRI, and closing the insertion site.
In simple words: The doctor uses an MRI scan to pinpoint the exact location of a lump in your breast. Then, they insert a small device, like a tiny marker, to help them find it again during a biopsy or surgery.The MRI makes sure the marker is placed exactly right.
This code describes a procedure where a localization device is placed into the breast using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for guidance. This is typically done for the first lesion identified.The device can be a clip, metallic pellet, wire/needle, or radioactive seeds.The MRI guidance ensures accurate placement of the device for subsequent procedures such as biopsies or surgery.
Example 1: A patient has a suspicious lesion detected on a breast MRI.To guide a future surgical biopsy, the physician inserts a localization wire under MRI guidance. Code 19287 is used., A patient has two suspicious lesions detected on a breast MRI. The physician inserts radioactive seeds into both lesions under MRI guidance.Code 19287 is reported for the first lesion and 19288 for the second., A patient has a suspicious lesion seen on mammography and another seen on breast MRI. The physician places a clip in the mammographically detected lesion and a radioactive seed in the MRI-detected lesion. Code 19281 would be used for the mammographically guided placement, and 19287 for the MRI-guided placement.
Documentation should include details of the lesion, type of localization device used, imaging modality used for guidance (MRI), number of lesions, and confirmation of placement.
- Revenue Code: P6C - MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC is applicable when only the technical component of the service is provided.
- Specialties:Radiology, Breast Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Outpatient Hospital, Independent Clinic, and other facilities capable of providing MRI-guided breast procedures