CPT code 19081: Breast biopsy, stereotactic, first lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Galveston, TX

Percutaneous stereotactic biopsy obtains breast tissue from a mammographic target, such as suspicious calcifications, when stereotactic guidance is used for the first lesion.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality55.1K Medicare services in 2024

In Galveston, TX, Medicare pays $474.63 for 19081 in the office and $136.99 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$474.63Office (non-facility)
$136.99Hospital or facility
−0.8%vs the national office rate ($478.30)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 19081 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 19081 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Galveston, TX
  2. What 19081 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 19081 covers

A radiologist typically performs this percutaneous breast biopsy by using mammographic stereotactic targeting to guide a needle into an abnormality and collect tissue samples. Common targets include suspicious calcifications or another mammographic finding that is not well seen with ultrasound. Marker placement and specimen imaging, when performed, are part of the service. The code covers the first lesion biopsied with stereotactic guidance during the session; a distinct additional lesion may be reported with 19082.

Select this code when stereotactic imaging guides the biopsy, rather than ultrasound or MRI. The report should identify the target and guidance method and document tissue sampling; include details of marker placement or specimen imaging when performed. The procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For multiple procedures in one session, CMS pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces other procedures to 50%. Modifier 50 for bilateral performance is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 Galveston, TX compares for 19081

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 19081 runs from $421.96 in Arkansas to $643.52 in San Benito County, CA. Galveston, TX pays $474.63. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

19081 in Galveston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Galveston, TX · this page$474.63
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$498.03+$23.40
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$445.13−$29.50
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$473.35−$1.28
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$476.17+$1.54
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$472.73−$1.90
  7. Houston, TX · Texas$481.04+$6.41

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

Every other payment area

19081 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$458.84$136.16
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$544.54$142.29
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$549.38$148.84
Miami, FLFlorida$510.91$156.95
Chicago, ILIllinois$495.99$154.27
Manhattan, NYNew York$550.24$155.13
AlaskaAlaska$550.02$187.90
AlabamaAlabama$428.30$130.78

19081 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.

$421.96

$576.36

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

View every state and territory as a table
19081 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$550.021
AL$428.301
AR$421.961
AZ$465.481
CA$509.20–$643.5229
CO$500.031
CT$510.571
DC$549.381
DE$473.341
FL$468.37–$510.913
GA$441.73–$486.722
GU$522.621
HI$522.621
IA$440.701
ID$443.391
IL$453.62–$497.784
IN$446.061
KS$438.001
KY$437.411
LA$436.48–$458.692
MA$496.69–$551.132
MD$482.73–$549.383
ME$445.13–$470.752
MI$448.54–$473.742
MN$480.491
MO$428.40–$461.073
MS$425.291
MT$478.281
NC$450.001
ND$471.361
NE$443.361
NH$491.571
NJ$516.79–$543.352
NM$450.821
NV$476.711
NY$456.86–$563.115
OH$447.131
OK$437.241
OR$473.39–$516.922
PA$448.19–$497.222
PR$482.081
RI$490.941
SC$449.231
SD$470.541
TN$440.181
TX$445.13–$498.038
UT$455.541
VA$468.75–$549.382
VI$482.081
VT$468.931
WA$495.95–$563.102
WI$455.121
WV$436.261
WY$475.261

See 19081 in every payment locality

How the 19081 rate is calculated

Each of 19081’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 · 19081

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work3.21

3.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense10.76

10.76 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.35

0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

14.3200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$478.30

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

The exact Galveston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,659

Code
19081
Physician work
3.21
Practice expense
10.76
Malpractice
0.35

GPCI2026.csv

101

Locality
Galveston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
0.828
Office calculation for 19081 in Galveston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.21× 1.0083.2357
Practice expense10.76× 0.99310.6847
Malpractice0.35× 0.8280.2898
Total RVUs14.2102
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Galveston, TX$474.63

Office: (3.21 × 1.008 + 10.76 × 0.993 + 0.35 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $474.63

Facility: (3.21 × 1.008 + 0.58 × 0.993 + 0.35 × 0.828) × $33.4009 = $136.99

Open 19081 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 19081

The CMS indicators that decide how 19081 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 19081

Breast biopsy, stereotactic, first lesion

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)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

19081 without 50 · national office

$478.30

Breast biopsy, stereotactic, first lesion

19081-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$717.45

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

How 19081 has changed in Galveston, TX

19081 · Office / nonfacility

$474.63

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $3.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $470.91 to $474.63 (0.8%).

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

    $470.91changed to$474.63

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.29 changed to 3.21
    • Practice expense RVU 10.94 changed to 10.76
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.000 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.855 changed to 0.828

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $494.26changed to$470.91

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 11.23 changed to 10.94

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $486.19changed to$494.26

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $518.64changed to$486.19

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 11.55 changed to 11.23
    • Malpractice RVU 0.34 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.000
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.703 changed to 0.855
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $539.91changed to$518.64

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 11.72 changed to 11.55
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.34
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.550 changed to 0.703

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $599.33changed to$539.91

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 13.26 changed to 11.72
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.33

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $634.77changed to$599.33

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 13.73 changed to 13.26
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.026
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.695 changed to 0.550

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $669.98changed to$634.77

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 14.77 changed to 13.73
    • Malpractice RVU 0.36 changed to 0.32
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.011 changed to 1.019
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.839 changed to 0.695

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $713.28changed to$669.98

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 15.98 changed to 14.77

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $712.73changed to$713.28

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.36
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.011
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.839

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $714.41changed to$712.73

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 16.02 changed to 15.98
    • Malpractice RVU 0.39 changed to 0.37
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.013 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.897

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $686.54changed to$714.41

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 15.24 changed to 16.02
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.39

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $683.12changed to$686.54

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $685.62changed to$683.12

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 15.02 changed to 15.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.73 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.005 changed to 1.013
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.970 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$685.62

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: No rate

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$474.63$136.99RVU26D
2026-07-01$474.63$136.99RVU26C
2026-04-01$474.63$136.99RVU26B
2026-01-01$474.63$136.99RVU26A
2025-10-01$470.91$155.85RVU25D
2025-07-01$470.91$155.85RVU25C
2025-04-01$470.91$155.85RVU25B
2025-01-01$470.91$155.85RVU25A
2024-10-01$494.26$159.39RVU24D
2024-07-01$494.26$159.39RVU24C
2024-04-01$494.26$159.39RVU24B
2024-03-09$494.26$159.39RVU24AR
2024-01-01$486.19$156.79RVU24A
2023-10-01$518.64$163.00RVU23D
2023-07-01$518.64$163.00RVU23C
2023-04-01$518.64$163.00RVU23B
2023-01-01$518.64$163.00RVU23A
2022-10-01$539.91$166.03RVU22D
2022-07-01$539.91$166.03RVU22C
2022-04-01$539.91$166.03RVU22B
2022-01-01$539.91$166.03RVU22A
2021-10-01$599.33$167.22RVU21D
2021-07-01$599.33$167.22RVU21C
2021-04-01$599.33$167.22RVU21B
2021-01-01$599.33$167.22RVU21A
2020-10-01$634.77$174.35RVU20D
2020-07-01$634.77$174.35RVU20C
2020-04-01$634.77$174.35RVU20B
2020-01-01$634.77$174.35RVU20A
2019-10-01$669.98$175.55RVU19D
2019-07-01$669.98$175.55RVU19C
2019-04-01$669.98$175.55RVU19B
2019-01-01$669.98$175.55RVU19A
2018-10-01$713.28$175.36RVU18D
2018-07-01$713.28$175.36RVU18C
2018-04-01$713.28$175.36RVU18B
2018-01-01$713.28$175.36RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$712.73$177.02RVU17D
2017-07-01$712.73$177.02RVU17C
2017-04-01$712.73$177.02RVU17B
2017-01-01$712.73$177.02RVU17A
2016-10-01$714.41$177.62RVU16D
2016-07-01$714.41$177.62RVU16C
2016-04-01$714.41$177.62RVU16B
2016-01-01$714.41$177.62RVU16A
2015-10-01$686.54$176.20RVU15D
2015-07-01$686.54$176.20RVU15C
2015-04-01$683.12$175.32RVU15B
2015-01-01$683.12$175.32RVU15A
2014-10-01$685.62$188.44RVU14D
2014-07-01$685.62$188.44RVU14C
2014-04-01$685.62$188.44RVU14B
2014-01-01$685.62$188.44RVU14A
2013-10-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13D
2013-07-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13C
2013-04-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13B
2013-01-01Not in this releaseNot in this releaseRVU13AR

Price 19081 for an earlier date of service

Where the Galveston, TX rate applies

Galveston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 16 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Galveston
  • Bacliff
  • Bayou Vista
  • Bolivar Peninsula
  • Clear Lake Shores
  • Dickinson
  • 19081 in Friendswood · multiple payment areas
  • Hitchcock

Browse all communities in Texas

19081 billing questions

When should 19081 be selected instead of 19083?

Report 19081 when stereotactic imaging guides the biopsy. Use 19083 when ultrasound guides the first-lesion biopsy.

How is a second stereotactic lesion reported?

Report 19082 for a distinct additional lesion biopsied with stereotactic guidance during the session. The first stereotactic lesion is reported with 19081.

Are marker placement and specimen imaging separately reported?

They are included in the service when performed. The biopsy documentation should indicate whether a marker was placed or specimen imaging was obtained.

Can modifier 50 be used for bilateral biopsies?

CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document the bilateral work performed.

What same-day care is included in the global period?

The 0-day global period includes same-day preoperative and postoperative care for the biopsy.

When is an assistant at surgery payable?

CMS pays an assistant at surgery only when medical necessity is documented. 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 19081PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,659 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Galveston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 101 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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