CPT code 19285: Breast localization, first lesion, ultrasound guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Iowa

Report percutaneous placement of a breast localization device for the first lesion when ultrasound guides targeting, commonly before surgical excision.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality28.7K Medicare services in 2024

In Iowa, Medicare pays $322.19 for 19285 in the office and $67.31 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$322.19Office (non-facility)
$67.31Hospital or facility
−8.0%vs the national office rate ($350.38)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 19285 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 19285 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Iowa
  2. What 19285 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 19285 covers

A breast radiologist or other qualified physician places a localization device in or near a breast lesion that can be targeted with ultrasound. The service is commonly performed in a breast imaging department before surgery to help the surgeon find a nonpalpable lesion. It includes the imaging guidance used to direct placement; it is localization, not tissue sampling such as a core biopsy.

Report this code for the first lesion localized with ultrasound. For each additional lesion localized with ultrasound, 19286 is the related add-on code. Documentation should identify the target, ultrasound guidance, device placement, and lesion count. The procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. For bilateral services, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. 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 Iowa compares for 19285

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 19285 runs from $306.72 in Arkansas to $481.39 in San Benito County, CA. Iowa pays $322.19. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

19285 in Iowa vs other payment areas
  1. Iowa · this page$322.19
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$403.50+$81.31
  3. Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$405.48+$83.29
  4. Miami, FL · Florida$371.41+$49.22
  5. Chicago, IL · Illinois$359.99+$37.80
  6. Manhattan, NY · New York$404.25+$82.06
  7. Alaska · Alaska$394.18+$71.99

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

Every other payment area

19285 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
AlabamaAlabama$311.65$67.91
ArkansasArkansas$306.72$67.44
ArizonaArizona$340.55$70.63
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$376.81$71.51
Chico, CACalifornia$376.26$70.96
El Centro, CACalifornia$376.29$70.99
Fresno, CACalifornia$376.26$70.96
Hanford, CACalifornia$376.26$70.96

19285 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.

$306.72

$428.83

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

View every state and territory as a table
19285 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$394.181
AL$311.651
AR$306.721
AZ$340.551
CA$376.26–$481.3929
CO$368.211
CT$374.991
DC$405.481
DE$346.581
FL$340.69–$371.413
GA$320.33–$356.372
GU$387.431
HI$387.431
IA$322.191
ID$324.091
IL$328.62–$363.214
IN$326.191
KS$319.661
KY$317.791
LA$316.90–$334.152
MA$365.35–$408.042
MD$353.90–$405.483
ME$324.99–$345.562
MI$326.02–$344.392
MN$354.521
MO$310.35–$336.523
MS$308.651
MT$350.361
NC$328.851
ND$346.801
NE$324.391
NH$361.471
NJ$379.76–$400.502
NM$327.601
NV$349.661
NY$334.14–$413.685
OH$325.291
OK$318.121
OR$347.43–$381.792
PA$326.35–$364.382
PR$353.461
RI$360.311
SC$327.521
SD$346.381
TN$321.301
TX$323.95–$366.568
UT$332.431
VA$343.70–$405.482
VI$353.461
VT$344.521
WA$364.97–$417.632
WI$334.081
WV$315.121
WY$348.811

See 19285 in every payment locality

How the 19285 rate is calculated

Each of 19285’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 · 19285

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work1.66

1.66 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense8.65

8.65 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.18

0.18 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

10.4900

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$350.38

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

The exact Iowa inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,677

Code
19285
Physician work
1.66
Practice expense
8.65
Malpractice
0.18

GPCI2026.csv

53

Locality
Iowa
Physician work
1.000
Practice expense
0.915
Malpractice
0.397
Office calculation for 19285 in Iowa
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work1.66× 1.0001.6600
Practice expense8.65× 0.9157.9148
Malpractice0.18× 0.3970.0715
Total RVUs9.6462
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Iowa$322.19

Office: (1.66 × 1 + 8.65 × 0.915 + 0.18 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $322.19

Facility: (1.66 × 1 + 0.31 × 0.915 + 0.18 × 0.397) × $33.4009 = $67.31

Open 19285 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 19285

The CMS indicators that decide how 19285 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 19285

Breast localization, first lesion, ultrasound guidance

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

19285 without 50 · national office

$350.38

Breast localization, first lesion, ultrasound guidance

19285-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$525.57

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 19285 has changed in Iowa

19285 · Office / nonfacility

$322.19

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $6.72 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $315.47 to $322.19 (2.1%).

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

    $315.47changed to$322.19

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 1.70 changed to 1.66
    • Practice expense RVU 8.74 changed to 8.65
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.913 changed to 0.915
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.457 changed to 0.397

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $333.91changed to$315.47

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 9.04 changed to 8.74
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $328.46changed to$333.91

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $348.63changed to$328.46

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 9.35 changed to 9.04
    • Malpractice RVU 0.18 changed to 0.17
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.910 changed to 0.913
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.441 changed to 0.457
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $362.65changed to$348.63

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 9.60 changed to 9.35
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.18
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.907 changed to 0.910
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.425 changed to 0.441

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $404.29changed to$362.65

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.83 changed to 9.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $427.79changed to$404.29

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 11.12 changed to 10.83
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.424 changed to 0.425

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $453.49changed to$427.79

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 11.92 changed to 11.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.423 changed to 0.424

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $483.69changed to$453.49

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 12.86 changed to 11.92

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $478.16changed to$483.69

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 12.80 changed to 12.86
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.902 changed to 0.907
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.458 changed to 0.423

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $472.90changed to$478.16

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 12.75 changed to 12.80
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.896 changed to 0.902
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.493 changed to 0.458

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $411.00changed to$472.90

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.78 changed to 12.75
    • Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.17

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $408.95changed to$411.00

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $425.34changed to$408.95

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 11.32 changed to 10.78
    • Practice expense GPCI 0.892 changed to 0.896
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.475 changed to 0.493

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged to$425.34

    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$322.19$67.31RVU26D
2026-07-01$322.19$67.31RVU26C
2026-04-01$322.19$67.31RVU26B
2026-01-01$322.19$67.31RVU26A
2025-10-01$315.47$75.66RVU25D
2025-07-01$315.47$75.66RVU25C
2025-04-01$315.47$75.66RVU25B
2025-01-01$315.47$75.66RVU25A
2024-10-01$333.91$77.41RVU24D
2024-07-01$333.91$77.41RVU24C
2024-04-01$333.91$77.41RVU24B
2024-03-09$333.91$77.41RVU24AR
2024-01-01$328.46$76.15RVU24A
2023-10-01$348.63$79.42RVU23D
2023-07-01$348.63$79.42RVU23C
2023-04-01$348.63$79.42RVU23B
2023-01-01$348.63$79.42RVU23A
2022-10-01$362.65$80.48RVU22D
2022-07-01$362.65$80.48RVU22C
2022-04-01$362.65$80.48RVU22B
2022-01-01$362.65$80.48RVU22A
2021-10-01$404.29$81.16RVU21D
2021-07-01$404.29$81.16RVU21C
2021-04-01$404.29$81.16RVU21B
2021-01-01$404.29$81.16RVU21A
2020-10-01$427.79$84.42RVU20D
2020-07-01$427.79$84.42RVU20C
2020-04-01$427.79$84.42RVU20B
2020-01-01$427.79$84.42RVU20A
2019-10-01$453.49$84.45RVU19D
2019-07-01$453.49$84.45RVU19C
2019-04-01$453.49$84.45RVU19B
2019-01-01$453.49$84.45RVU19A
2018-10-01$483.69$84.36RVU18D
2018-07-01$483.69$84.36RVU18C
2018-04-01$483.69$84.36RVU18B
2018-01-01$483.69$84.36RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$478.16$84.52RVU17D
2017-07-01$478.16$84.52RVU17C
2017-04-01$478.16$84.52RVU17B
2017-01-01$478.16$84.52RVU17A
2016-10-01$472.90$84.08RVU16D
2016-07-01$472.90$84.08RVU16C
2016-04-01$472.90$84.08RVU16B
2016-01-01$472.90$84.08RVU16A
2015-10-01$411.00$84.85RVU15D
2015-07-01$411.00$84.85RVU15C
2015-04-01$408.95$84.43RVU15B
2015-01-01$408.95$84.43RVU15A
2014-10-01$425.34$84.39RVU14D
2014-07-01$425.34$84.39RVU14C
2014-04-01$425.34$84.39RVU14B
2014-01-01$425.34$84.39RVU14A
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 19285 for an earlier date of service

Where the Iowa rate applies

Iowa is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1026 cities and communities in Iowa. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Ackley
  • Ackworth
  • Adair
  • Adel
  • Afton
  • Agency
  • Ainsworth
  • Akron

Browse all communities in Iowa

19285 billing questions

When should 19285 be used instead of 19283?

Use 19285 when ultrasound guides placement for the first lesion. Code 19283 is for first-lesion placement using stereotactic guidance.

How is a second ultrasound-localized lesion reported?

Report 19286 for each additional lesion localized with ultrasound, following 19285 for the first lesion.

Can the ultrasound guidance be billed separately?

The imaging guidance used to place the localization device is included in 19285.

Does 19285 include a breast biopsy?

No. It reports placement of a localization device, not tissue sampling. A separately performed biopsy is a distinct service when supported by the applicable coding and documentation.

What documentation supports reporting 19285?

Document the breast target, ultrasound guidance, device placement, and that this was the first lesion localized with that guidance modality.

How is bilateral placement handled?

For a bilateral service, CMS pays 19285 with modifier 50 at 150%. Same-session procedures are also subject to the standard multiple-procedure reduction.

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 19285PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,677 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for IowaGPCI2026.csv, line 53 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 19285 pays in Iowa?

Tell us what you were actually trying to work out. We’ll answer you directly, or build the page that does.

Fee sheets · Coming soon

Put 19285 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Your codes at your locality, with payer contracts beside Medicare.

Join the waitlist