Question:
When I do breast biopsies or localize breast lesions using metallic pellets, radioactive seeds, radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices or other localization devices instead of traditional clips or localization wires, how are these markers reported?
Answer:
Metallic pellets, radioactive seeds, RFID devices, or any other localization devices used during breast biopsy or breast localization are all included in codes 19081-+19086 and 19281-+19288. Note that these codes are used once per lesion localized, regardless of the number of localization devices placed in or around the lesion. For example, if mammographically-guided needle localization is performed using two radioactive seeds to designate the margins prior to surgical excision, code 19281 is still only reported one time.
