CPT code 19000: Breast aspiration, first cyst2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in South Carolina
Reports needle aspiration of a breast cyst, typically to relieve symptoms or evaluate a fluid-filled lesion without taking a core tissue sample.
In South Carolina, Medicare pays $90.69 for 19000 in the office and $35.45 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 South Carolina 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. South Carolina pays $90.69. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- South Carolina · this page$90.69
- Los Angeles, CA · California$108.00+$17.31
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$109.68+$18.99
- Miami, FL · Florida$104.48+$13.79
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$101.47+$10.78
- Manhattan, NY · New York$110.65+$19.96
- Alaska · Alaska$112.47+$21.78
Other areas in South Carolina first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $116.82 | $38.02 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $107.43 | $36.76 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $102.40 | $36.87 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $106.09 | $36.56 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $105.69 | $36.40 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $108.10 | $36.59 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $123.51 | $39.21 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $123.39 | $39.09 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $126.29 | $40.08 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $125.78 | $39.57 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $104.01 | $35.91 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $109.07 | $36.43 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $106.07 | $36.36 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $110.16 | $36.74 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $116.64 | $37.84 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $101.21 | $35.68 |
| ColoradoColorado | $99.89 | $36.27 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $102.53 | $38.14 |
| DelawareDelaware | $95.18 | $36.11 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $100.01 | $39.45 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $95.18 | $38.02 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $98.06 | $37.31 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $89.87 | $36.54 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $103.57 | $35.59 |
| IowaIowa | $88.44 | $33.74 |
| IdahoIdaho | $89.05 | $34.04 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $94.71 | $39.70 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $92.60 | $38.01 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $100.98 | $39.58 |
| IndianaIndiana | $89.55 | $34.13 |
| KansasKansas | $88.12 | $34.07 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $88.65 | $35.50 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $92.85 | $36.59 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $88.55 | $35.64 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $109.55 | $38.16 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $99.34 | $36.38 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $102.26 | $38.11 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $96.95 | $36.44 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $89.60 | $34.59 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $94.25 | $35.00 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $96.44 | $38.74 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $91.00 | $36.42 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $95.50 | $33.98 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $92.14 | $36.00 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $93.08 | $36.16 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $87.11 | $35.57 |
| MississippiMississippi | $86.18 | $34.71 |
| MontanaMontana | $96.19 | $36.40 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $90.50 | $34.72 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $94.01 | $34.22 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $88.89 | $33.71 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $98.41 | $36.17 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $108.59 | $39.24 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $103.64 | $38.35 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $91.53 | $36.70 |
| NevadaNevada | $95.65 | $35.80 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $113.41 | $42.32 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $104.39 | $38.92 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $111.43 | $40.76 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $91.85 | $35.05 |
| OhioOhio | $90.56 | $35.97 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $88.41 | $35.02 |
| Portland, OROregon | $102.92 | $36.50 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $94.84 | $35.29 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $100.07 | $37.83 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $90.65 | $35.77 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $96.86 | $36.41 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $98.47 | $36.71 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $93.75 | $33.97 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $88.57 | $34.22 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $99.61 | $36.35 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $90.07 | $35.67 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $95.02 | $35.77 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $95.66 | $36.11 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $95.06 | $36.10 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $95.33 | $35.96 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $97.34 | $37.97 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $92.52 | $35.78 |
| UtahUtah | $91.91 | $35.71 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $94.01 | $35.24 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $96.86 | $36.41 |
| VermontVermont | $93.73 | $34.54 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $99.12 | $36.17 |
| King County, WAWashington | $111.68 | $38.32 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $90.92 | $33.64 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $89.25 | $37.29 |
| WyomingWyoming | $95.24 | $35.45 |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $112.47 | 1 |
| AL | $86.46 | 1 |
| AR | $85.23 | 1 |
| AZ | $93.65 | 1 |
| CA | $101.21–$126.29 | 29 |
| CO | $99.89 | 1 |
| CT | $102.53 | 1 |
| DC | $109.68 | 1 |
| DE | $95.18 | 1 |
| FL | $95.18–$104.48 | 3 |
| GA | $89.87–$98.06 | 2 |
| GU | $103.57 | 1 |
| HI | $103.57 | 1 |
| IA | $88.44 | 1 |
| ID | $89.05 | 1 |
| IL | $92.60–$101.47 | 4 |
| IN | $89.55 | 1 |
| KS | $88.12 | 1 |
| KY | $88.65 | 1 |
| LA | $88.55–$92.85 | 2 |
| MA | $99.34–$109.55 | 2 |
| MD | $96.95–$109.68 | 3 |
| ME | $89.60–$94.25 | 2 |
| MI | $91.00–$96.44 | 2 |
| MN | $95.50 | 1 |
| MO | $87.11–$93.08 | 3 |
| MS | $86.18 | 1 |
| MT | $96.19 | 1 |
| NC | $90.50 | 1 |
| ND | $94.01 | 1 |
| NE | $88.89 | 1 |
| NH | $98.41 | 1 |
| NJ | $103.64–$108.59 | 2 |
| NM | $91.53 | 1 |
| NV | $95.65 | 1 |
| NY | $91.85–$113.41 | 5 |
| OH | $90.56 | 1 |
| OK | $88.41 | 1 |
| OR | $94.84–$102.92 | 2 |
| PA | $90.65–$100.07 | 2 |
| PR | $96.86 | 1 |
| RI | $98.47 | 1 |
| SC | $90.69 | 1 |
| SD | $93.75 | 1 |
| TN | $88.57 | 1 |
| TX | $90.07–$99.61 | 8 |
| UT | $91.91 | 1 |
| VA | $94.01–$109.68 | 2 |
| VI | $96.86 | 1 |
| VT | $93.73 | 1 |
| WA | $99.12–$111.68 | 2 |
| WI | $90.92 | 1 |
| WV | $89.25 | 1 |
| WY | $95.24 | 1 |
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
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 South Carolina 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
93
- Locality
- South Carolina
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.924
- Malpractice
- 0.850
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 0.82 | × 1.000 | 0.8200 |
| Practice expense | 1.95 | × 0.924 | 1.8018 |
| Malpractice | 0.11 | × 0.850 | 0.0935 |
| Total RVUs | 2.7153 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, South Carolina$90.69
Office: (0.82 × 1 + 1.95 × 0.924 + 0.11 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $90.69
Facility: (0.82 × 1 + 0.16 × 0.924 + 0.11 × 0.85) × $33.4009 = $35.45
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
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 000 | Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician 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%).
How 19000 has changed in South Carolina
19000 · Office / nonfacility
$90.69
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $2.76 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $87.93 to $90.69 (3.1%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
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
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$87.93changed to$90.69
- 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 0.913 changed to 0.924
- Malpractice GPCI 0.817 changed to 0.850
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$93.56changed to$87.93
- 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.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$92.03changed to$93.56
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$96.21changed to$92.03
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 2.11 changed to 2.06
- Practice expense GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.913
- Malpractice GPCI 0.756 changed to 0.817
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$98.35changed to$96.21
- 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 0.903 changed to 0.908
- Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.756
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$101.93changed to$98.35
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$103.50changed to$101.93
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 2.16 changed to 2.22
- Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.903
- Malpractice GPCI 0.624 changed to 0.695
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$103.79changed to$103.50
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.16
- Practice expense GPCI 0.912 changed to 0.907
- Malpractice GPCI 0.553 changed to 0.624
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$106.30changed to$103.79
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 2.25 changed to 2.17
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$106.29changed to$106.30
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice GPCI 0.634 changed to 0.553
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$106.69changed to$106.29
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 2.26 changed to 2.25
- Malpractice GPCI 0.715 changed to 0.634
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$107.07changed to$106.69
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$106.54changed to$107.07
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$104.65changed to$106.54
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 2.21 changed to 2.26
- Practice expense GPCI 0.911 changed to 0.912
- Malpractice GPCI 0.618 changed to 0.715
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$104.75changed to$104.65
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 2.40 changed to 2.21
- Practice expense GPCI 0.909 changed to 0.911
- Malpractice GPCI 0.520 changed to 0.618
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $104.75
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $90.69 | $35.45 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $90.69 | $35.45 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $90.69 | $35.45 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $90.69 | $35.45 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $87.93 | $39.50 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $87.93 | $39.50 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $87.93 | $39.50 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $87.93 | $39.50 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $93.56 | $40.07 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $93.56 | $40.07 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $93.56 | $40.07 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $93.56 | $40.07 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $92.03 | $39.42 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $96.21 | $40.82 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $96.21 | $40.82 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $96.21 | $40.82 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $96.21 | $40.82 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $98.35 | $41.16 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $98.35 | $41.16 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $98.35 | $41.16 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $98.35 | $41.16 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $101.93 | $41.75 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $101.93 | $41.75 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $101.93 | $41.75 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $101.93 | $41.75 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $103.50 | $42.94 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $103.50 | $42.94 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $103.50 | $42.94 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $103.50 | $42.94 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $103.79 | $42.65 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $103.79 | $42.65 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $103.79 | $42.65 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $103.79 | $42.65 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $106.30 | $42.61 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $106.30 | $42.61 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $106.30 | $42.61 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $106.30 | $42.61 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $106.29 | $42.80 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $106.29 | $42.80 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $106.29 | $42.80 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $106.29 | $42.80 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $106.69 | $43.01 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $106.69 | $43.01 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $106.69 | $43.01 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $106.69 | $43.01 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $107.07 | $43.17 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $107.07 | $43.17 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $106.54 | $42.95 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $106.54 | $42.95 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $104.65 | $42.64 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $104.65 | $42.64 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $104.65 | $42.64 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $104.65 | $42.64 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $104.75 | $40.11 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $104.75 | $40.11 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $104.75 | $40.11 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $104.75 | $40.11 | RVU13AR |
Where the South Carolina rate applies
South Carolina is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 475 cities and communities in South Carolina. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbeville
- Abney Crossroads
- Adams Run
- Aiken
- Alcolu
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Andrews
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
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