CPT code 19081: Breast biopsy, stereotactic, first lesion2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in King County, WA
Percutaneous stereotactic biopsy obtains breast tissue from a mammographic target, such as suspicious calcifications, when stereotactic guidance is used for the first lesion.
In King County, WA, Medicare pays $563.10 for 19081 in the office and $145.90 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
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.
On this page 11 sections
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 King County, WA 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. King County, WA pays $563.10. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- King County, WA · this page$563.10
- Rest of Washington · Washington$495.95−$67.15
- Los Angeles, CA · California$544.54−$18.56
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$549.38−$13.72
- Miami, FL · Florida$510.91−$52.19
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$495.99−$67.11
- Manhattan, NY · New York$550.24−$12.86
Other areas in Washington first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlaskaAlaska | $550.02 | $187.90 |
| AlabamaAlabama | $428.30 | $130.78 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $421.96 | $129.88 |
| ArizonaArizona | $465.48 | $136.00 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $510.27 | $137.61 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $509.26 | $136.60 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $593.59 | $145.44 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $542.31 | $140.40 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $513.01 | $140.35 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $535.32 | $139.87 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $533.34 | $139.26 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $546.60 | $139.94 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $629.51 | $150.08 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $629.12 | $149.69 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $643.52 | $153.21 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $641.90 | $151.59 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $524.65 | $137.37 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $552.40 | $139.27 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $535.54 | $139.07 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $558.03 | $140.49 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $593.02 | $144.87 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $509.20 | $136.54 |
| ColoradoColorado | $500.03 | $138.25 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $510.57 | $144.37 |
| DelawareDelaware | $473.34 | $137.40 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $492.42 | $147.98 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $468.37 | $143.31 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $486.72 | $141.26 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $441.73 | $138.43 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $522.62 | $136.01 |
| IowaIowa | $440.70 | $129.58 |
| IdahoIdaho | $443.39 | $130.57 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $461.40 | $148.58 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $453.62 | $143.18 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $497.78 | $148.58 |
| IndianaIndiana | $446.06 | $130.86 |
| KansasKansas | $438.00 | $130.62 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $437.41 | $135.14 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $458.69 | $138.73 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $436.48 | $135.56 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $551.13 | $145.15 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $496.69 | $138.65 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $509.02 | $144.18 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $482.73 | $138.63 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $445.13 | $132.31 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $470.75 | $133.79 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $473.74 | $145.62 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $448.54 | $138.10 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $480.49 | $130.61 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $456.11 | $136.83 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $461.07 | $137.37 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $428.40 | $135.30 |
| MississippiMississippi | $425.29 | $132.54 |
| MontanaMontana | $478.28 | $138.26 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $450.00 | $132.76 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $471.36 | $131.34 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $443.36 | $129.52 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $491.57 | $137.61 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $543.35 | $148.93 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $516.79 | $145.48 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $450.82 | $139.02 |
| NevadaNevada | $476.71 | $136.35 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $563.11 | $158.82 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $519.72 | $147.40 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $555.74 | $153.83 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $456.86 | $133.84 |
| OhioOhio | $447.13 | $136.69 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $437.24 | $133.60 |
| Portland, OROregon | $516.92 | $139.15 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $473.39 | $134.73 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $497.22 | $143.26 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $448.19 | $136.05 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $482.08 | $138.32 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $490.94 | $139.69 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $449.23 | $135.05 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $470.54 | $130.52 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $440.18 | $131.10 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $498.03 | $138.29 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $445.13 | $135.71 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $473.35 | $136.39 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $476.17 | $137.51 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $472.73 | $137.47 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $474.63 | $136.99 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $481.04 | $143.40 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $458.84 | $136.16 |
| UtahUtah | $455.54 | $135.92 |
| VirginiaVirginia | $468.75 | $134.51 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $482.08 | $138.32 |
| VermontVermont | $468.93 | $132.31 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $455.12 | $129.38 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $436.26 | $140.78 |
| WyomingWyoming | $475.26 | $135.24 |
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
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $550.02 | 1 |
| AL | $428.30 | 1 |
| AR | $421.96 | 1 |
| AZ | $465.48 | 1 |
| CA | $509.20–$643.52 | 29 |
| CO | $500.03 | 1 |
| CT | $510.57 | 1 |
| DC | $549.38 | 1 |
| DE | $473.34 | 1 |
| FL | $468.37–$510.91 | 3 |
| GA | $441.73–$486.72 | 2 |
| GU | $522.62 | 1 |
| HI | $522.62 | 1 |
| IA | $440.70 | 1 |
| ID | $443.39 | 1 |
| IL | $453.62–$497.78 | 4 |
| IN | $446.06 | 1 |
| KS | $438.00 | 1 |
| KY | $437.41 | 1 |
| LA | $436.48–$458.69 | 2 |
| MA | $496.69–$551.13 | 2 |
| MD | $482.73–$549.38 | 3 |
| ME | $445.13–$470.75 | 2 |
| MI | $448.54–$473.74 | 2 |
| MN | $480.49 | 1 |
| MO | $428.40–$461.07 | 3 |
| MS | $425.29 | 1 |
| MT | $478.28 | 1 |
| NC | $450.00 | 1 |
| ND | $471.36 | 1 |
| NE | $443.36 | 1 |
| NH | $491.57 | 1 |
| NJ | $516.79–$543.35 | 2 |
| NM | $450.82 | 1 |
| NV | $476.71 | 1 |
| NY | $456.86–$563.11 | 5 |
| OH | $447.13 | 1 |
| OK | $437.24 | 1 |
| OR | $473.39–$516.92 | 2 |
| PA | $448.19–$497.22 | 2 |
| PR | $482.08 | 1 |
| RI | $490.94 | 1 |
| SC | $449.23 | 1 |
| SD | $470.54 | 1 |
| TN | $440.18 | 1 |
| TX | $445.13–$498.03 | 8 |
| UT | $455.54 | 1 |
| VA | $468.75–$549.38 | 2 |
| VI | $482.08 | 1 |
| VT | $468.93 | 1 |
| WA | $495.95–$563.10 | 2 |
| WI | $455.12 | 1 |
| WV | $436.26 | 1 |
| WY | $475.26 | 1 |
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
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 King County, WA 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
108
- Locality
- King County, WA
- Physician work
- 1.050
- Practice expense
- 1.227
- Malpractice
- 0.817
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 3.21 | × 1.050 | 3.3705 |
| Practice expense | 10.76 | × 1.227 | 13.2025 |
| Malpractice | 0.35 | × 0.817 | 0.2859 |
| Total RVUs | 16.8590 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, King County, WA$563.10
Office: (3.21 × 1.05 + 10.76 × 1.227 + 0.35 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $563.10
Facility: (3.21 × 1.05 + 0.58 × 1.227 + 0.35 × 0.817) × $33.4009 = $145.90
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
| 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) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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 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).
How 19081 has changed in King County, WA
19081 · Office / nonfacility
$563.10
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $11.28 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $551.82 to $563.10 (2.0%).
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
$551.82changed to$563.10
- 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 1.043 changed to 1.050
- Practice expense GPCI 1.220 changed to 1.227
- Malpractice GPCI 0.853 changed to 0.817
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$579.65changed to$551.82
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 11.23 changed to 10.94
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$570.19changed to$579.65
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$597.64changed to$570.19
- 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 1.039 changed to 1.043
- Practice expense GPCI 1.207 changed to 1.220
- Malpractice GPCI 0.815 changed to 0.853
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$611.08changed to$597.64
- 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 1.036 changed to 1.039
- Practice expense GPCI 1.194 changed to 1.207
- Malpractice GPCI 0.776 changed to 0.815
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$680.04changed to$611.08
- 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.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$712.03changed to$680.04
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 13.73 changed to 13.26
- Work GPCI 1.031 changed to 1.036
- Practice expense GPCI 1.170 changed to 1.194
- Malpractice GPCI 0.854 changed to 0.776
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$743.86changed to$712.03
- 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 1.027 changed to 1.031
- Practice expense GPCI 1.146 changed to 1.170
- Malpractice GPCI 0.931 changed to 0.854
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$792.97changed to$743.86
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 15.98 changed to 14.77
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$790.71changed to$792.97
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.36
- Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.027
- Practice expense GPCI 1.151 changed to 1.146
- Malpractice GPCI 0.713 changed to 0.931
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$790.14changed to$790.71
- 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 1.025 changed to 1.026
- Practice expense GPCI 1.155 changed to 1.151
- Malpractice GPCI 0.495 changed to 0.713
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$759.56changed to$790.14
- 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.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$755.78changed to$759.56
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$757.56changed to$755.78
- 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
- Practice expense GPCI 1.150 changed to 1.155
- Malpractice GPCI 0.688 changed to 0.495
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
No ratechanged to$757.56
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: No rate
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $563.10 | $145.90 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $563.10 | $145.90 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $563.10 | $145.90 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $563.10 | $145.90 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $551.82 | $167.46 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $551.82 | $167.46 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $551.82 | $167.46 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $551.82 | $167.46 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $579.65 | $171.11 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $579.65 | $171.11 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $579.65 | $171.11 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $579.65 | $171.11 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $570.19 | $168.32 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $597.64 | $173.90 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $597.64 | $173.90 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $597.64 | $173.90 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $597.64 | $173.90 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $611.08 | $175.99 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $611.08 | $175.99 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $611.08 | $175.99 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $611.08 | $175.99 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $680.04 | $177.17 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $680.04 | $177.17 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $680.04 | $177.17 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $680.04 | $177.17 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $712.03 | $183.37 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $712.03 | $183.37 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $712.03 | $183.37 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $712.03 | $183.37 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $743.86 | $183.41 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $743.86 | $183.41 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $743.86 | $183.41 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $743.86 | $183.41 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $792.97 | $183.21 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $792.97 | $183.21 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $792.97 | $183.21 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $792.97 | $183.21 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $790.71 | $181.42 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $790.71 | $181.42 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $790.71 | $181.42 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $790.71 | $181.42 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $790.14 | $178.10 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $790.14 | $178.10 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $790.14 | $178.10 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $790.14 | $178.10 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $759.56 | $177.68 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $759.56 | $177.68 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $755.78 | $176.80 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $755.78 | $176.80 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $757.56 | $188.64 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $757.56 | $188.64 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $757.56 | $188.64 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $757.56 | $188.64 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not in this release | Not in this release | RVU13AR |
Where the King County, WA rate applies
King County, WA is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 63 cities and communities in Washington. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Seattle
- Algona
- Ames Lake
- 19081 in Auburn · multiple payment areas
- Baring
- Beaux Arts Village
- Bellevue
- Black Diamond
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
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