Question:
If two cysts in the same breast are aspirated under ultrasound guidance, how do we code the procedure?
Answer:
The initial cyst aspirated would be reported with code 19000. Each additional cyst aspiration is coded as +19001 if the second (additional) cyst is aspirated from the same breast. Assign the imaging guidance with 76942 once. To accurately report ultrasound guidance codes, CPT instructions state that a permanently recorded image and a written description of the guidance study must be incorporated within the report or within a separate report. Some payers may require 51, 76, 59, or XE, XS, XP, or XU, as appropriate, to indicate the separateness of the procedures.
