CPT code 19000: Breast aspiration, first cyst2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Kentucky

Reports needle aspiration of a breast cyst, typically to relieve symptoms or evaluate a fluid-filled lesion without taking a core tissue sample.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality5.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Kentucky, Medicare pays $88.65 for 19000 in the office and $35.50 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$88.65Office (non-facility)
$35.50Hospital or facility
−7.8%vs the national office rate ($96.19)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 19000 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 19000 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Kentucky
  2. What 19000 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 19000 covers

A clinician uses a needle to withdraw fluid from a breast cyst, commonly one that is palpable, uncomfortable, or identified on imaging. The service may be performed in an office or facility by a physician involved in breast care, such as a breast surgeon or radiologist. Aspiration removes cyst fluid; it is distinct from taking a core tissue sample from a breast lesion.

Report 19000 for the first cyst aspirated in the session and 19001 for each additional cyst. Document the cyst’s location, the clinical reason for aspiration, and the aspiration performed; identify additional cysts when reporting the add-on code. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Modifier 50 is inappropriate. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery, and co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Kentucky compares for 19000

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 19000 runs from $85.23 in Arkansas to $126.29 in San Benito County, CA. Kentucky pays $88.65. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

19000 in Kentucky vs other payment areas
  1. Kentucky · this page$88.65
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$108.00+$19.35
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$109.68+$21.03
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$104.48+$15.83
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$101.47+$12.82
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$110.65+$22.00
  7. Alaska · Alaska$112.47+$23.82

Other areas in Kentucky first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

19000 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$86.46$34.14
ArkansasArkansas$85.23$33.87
ArizonaArizona$93.65$35.71
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$101.53$36.00
Chico, CACalifornia$101.21$35.68
El Centro, CACalifornia$101.23$35.70
Fresno, CACalifornia$101.21$35.68
Hanford, CACalifornia$101.21$35.68

19000 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$85.23

$113.75

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
19000 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$112.471
AL$86.461
AR$85.231
AZ$93.651
CA$101.21–$126.2929
CO$99.891
CT$102.531
DC$109.681
DE$95.181
FL$95.18–$104.483
GA$89.87–$98.062
GU$103.571
HI$103.571
IA$88.441
ID$89.051
IL$92.60–$101.474
IN$89.551
KS$88.121
KY$88.651
LA$88.55–$92.852
MA$99.34–$109.552
MD$96.95–$109.683
ME$89.60–$94.252
MI$91.00–$96.442
MN$95.501
MO$87.11–$93.083
MS$86.181
MT$96.191
NC$90.501
ND$94.011
NE$88.891
NH$98.411
NJ$103.64–$108.592
NM$91.531
NV$95.651
NY$91.85–$113.415
OH$90.561
OK$88.411
OR$94.84–$102.922
PA$90.65–$100.072
PR$96.861
RI$98.471
SC$90.691
SD$93.751
TN$88.571
TX$90.07–$99.618
UT$91.911
VA$94.01–$109.682
VI$96.861
VT$93.731
WA$99.12–$111.682
WI$90.921
WV$89.251
WY$95.241

See 19000 in every payment locality

How the 19000 rate is calculated

Each of 19000’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 19000

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.82

0.82 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense1.95

1.95 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.11

0.11 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

2.8800

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$96.19

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Kentucky inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,655

Code
19000
Physician work
0.82
Practice expense
1.95
Malpractice
0.11

GPCI2026.csv

55

Locality
Kentucky
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.889
Malpractice
0.915
Office calculation for 19000 in Kentucky
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.82× 1.0000.8200
Practice expense1.95× 0.8891.7335
Malpractice0.11× 0.9150.1007
Total RVUs2.6542
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Kentucky$88.65

Office: (0.82 × 1 + 1.95 × 0.889 + 0.11 × 0.915) × $33.4009 = $88.65

Facility: (0.82 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.889 + 0.11 × 0.915) × $33.4009 = $35.50

Open 19000 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 19000

The CMS indicators that decide how 19000 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 19000

Breast aspiration, first cyst

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 51 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

19000 without 51 · national office

$96.19

Breast aspiration, first cyst

19000-51 · Second procedure: 50%

$48.10

When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).

When to use modifier 51

How 19000 has changed in Kentucky

19000 · Office / nonfacility

$88.65

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.62 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $86.03 to $88.65 (3.0%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release
  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $86.03changed to$88.65

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.84 changed to 0.82
    • Malpractice RVU 0.12 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.877 changed to 0.889
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $91.44changed to$86.03

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.06 changed to 1.95
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.12

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $89.95changed to$91.44

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $94.13changed to$89.95

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.11 changed to 2.06
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.873 changed to 0.877
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.870 changed to 0.913
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $96.29changed to$94.13

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.14 changed to 2.11
    • Malpractice RVU 0.10 changed to 0.11
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.869 changed to 0.873
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.827 changed to 0.870

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $99.80changed to$96.29

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.22 changed to 2.14
    • Malpractice RVU 0.11 changed to 0.10

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $101.71changed to$99.80

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.16 changed to 2.22
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.874 changed to 0.869
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.823 changed to 0.827

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $102.34changed to$101.71

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.16
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.880 changed to 0.874
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.819 changed to 0.823

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $104.76changed to$102.34

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 2.25 changed to 2.17

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $104.07changed to$104.76

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.876 changed to 0.880
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.807 changed to 0.819

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $103.77changed to$104.07

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.25
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.872 changed to 0.876
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.795 changed to 0.807

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $104.14changed to$103.77

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $103.62changed to$104.14

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $102.18changed to$103.62

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 2.21 changed to 2.26
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.774 changed to 0.795

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $102.52changed to$102.18

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.21
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.871 changed to 0.872
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.752 changed to 0.774

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $102.52

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$88.65$35.50RVU26D
2026-07-01$88.65$35.50RVU26C
2026-04-01$88.65$35.50RVU26B
2026-01-01$88.65$35.50RVU26A
2025-10-01$86.03$39.51RVU25D
2025-07-01$86.03$39.51RVU25C
2025-04-01$86.03$39.51RVU25B
2025-01-01$86.03$39.51RVU25A
2024-10-01$91.44$40.06RVU24D
2024-07-01$91.44$40.06RVU24C
2024-04-01$91.44$40.06RVU24B
2024-03-09$91.44$40.06RVU24AR
2024-01-01$89.95$39.41RVU24A
2023-10-01$94.13$40.88RVU23D
2023-07-01$94.13$40.88RVU23C
2023-04-01$94.13$40.88RVU23B
2023-01-01$94.13$40.88RVU23A
2022-10-01$96.29$41.25RVU22D
2022-07-01$96.29$41.25RVU22C
2022-04-01$96.29$41.25RVU22B
2022-01-01$96.29$41.25RVU22A
2021-10-01$99.80$41.88RVU21D
2021-07-01$99.80$41.88RVU21C
2021-04-01$99.80$41.88RVU21B
2021-01-01$99.80$41.88RVU21A
2020-10-01$101.71$43.36RVU20D
2020-07-01$101.71$43.36RVU20C
2020-04-01$101.71$43.36RVU20B
2020-01-01$101.71$43.36RVU20A
2019-10-01$102.34$43.35RVU19D
2019-07-01$102.34$43.35RVU19C
2019-04-01$102.34$43.35RVU19B
2019-01-01$102.34$43.35RVU19A
2018-10-01$104.76$43.30RVU18D
2018-07-01$104.76$43.30RVU18C
2018-04-01$104.76$43.30RVU18B
2018-01-01$104.76$43.30RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$104.07$43.08RVU17D
2017-07-01$104.07$43.08RVU17C
2017-04-01$104.07$43.08RVU17B
2017-01-01$104.07$43.08RVU17A
2016-10-01$103.77$42.89RVU16D
2016-07-01$103.77$42.89RVU16C
2016-04-01$103.77$42.89RVU16B
2016-01-01$103.77$42.89RVU16A
2015-10-01$104.14$43.04RVU15D
2015-07-01$104.14$43.04RVU15C
2015-04-01$103.62$42.83RVU15B
2015-01-01$103.62$42.83RVU15A
2014-10-01$102.18$42.82RVU14D
2014-07-01$102.18$42.82RVU14C
2014-04-01$102.18$42.82RVU14B
2014-01-01$102.18$42.82RVU14A
2013-10-01$102.52$40.58RVU13D
2013-07-01$102.52$40.58RVU13C
2013-04-01$102.52$40.58RVU13B
2013-01-01$102.52$40.58RVU13AR

Price 19000 for an earlier date of service

Where the Kentucky rate applies

Kentucky is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 553 cities and communities in Kentucky. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Adairville
  • Ages
  • Albany
  • Alexandria
  • Allen
  • Allensville
  • Anchorage
  • Annville

Browse all communities in Kentucky

19000 billing questions

When should 19001 be reported instead of 19000?

Report 19000 for the first breast cyst aspirated. Report 19001 for each additional cyst aspirated during the session.

Is cyst aspiration the same as a breast core biopsy?

No. Aspiration withdraws fluid from a cyst; a core biopsy obtains tissue from a lesion. Use the code that reflects the service actually performed.

Can modifier 50 be used when cysts in both breasts are aspirated?

No. CMS identifies bilateral adjustment as inappropriate for this code, so do not use modifier 50.

Does 19000 have a global period?

It has a 0-day global period. Same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included.

How does the multiple-procedure rule affect 19000?

When it is performed with other procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction.

Can an assistant surgeon or co-surgeon be reported?

Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this service. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 19000PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,655 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for KentuckyGPCI2026.csv, line 55 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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