CPT code 19287: Breast localization, first lesion, MRI guidance2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Illinois
Report this service for percutaneous placement of a breast localization device at the first lesion when MRI provides the procedural guidance.
Medicare pays $559.31–$619.45 for 19287 in the office in Illinois, from Rest of Illinois to Suburban Chicago, IL. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
What 19287 covers
A radiologist typically uses MRI to guide a needle or delivery system through the skin and place a localization device at a breast lesion. The marker helps identify the target for a later procedure, such as surgical excision, particularly when the abnormality is best seen on MRI. This code represents localization, not tissue sampling; it may be performed after a prior biopsy has identified the target.
Report this code for the first lesion localized with MRI guidance, and document the target, percutaneous placement, and MRI guidance. The add-on code 19288 is used for each additional lesion. MRI guidance for placement is included. The procedure has a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. When multiple procedures occur in one session, the highest-valued is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 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.
Where 19287 pays more and less in Illinois
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
4 payment localities
$559.31 to $619.45
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $612.28 | $116.49 |
| East St. Louis, IL | $566.33 | $112.47 |
| Rest of Illinois | $559.31 | $108.90 |
| Suburban Chicago, IL | $619.45 | $112.80 |
How the 19287 rate is calculated
Each of 19287’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 · 19287
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work2.49
2.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense15.22
15.22 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.23
0.23 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
17.9400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$599.21
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 19287
The CMS indicators that decide how 19287 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 19287
Breast localization, first lesion, MRI guidance
| 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
19287 without 50 · national office
$599.21
Breast localization, first lesion, MRI guidance
19287-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$898.82
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).
19287 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
How to choose
- 19288Breast localizationAdditional lesion, MRI guidance
- 19287 is for the first MRI-guided localization target; 19288 reports each additional lesion.
- 19285Breast localizationFirst lesion, ultrasound guidance
- Choose 19285 when ultrasound guides placement. Choose 19287 when MRI guides placement.
- 19085Breast biopsyFirst lesion, MRI guidance
- 19085 includes MRI-guided tissue sampling and marker placement when performed; 19287 reports localization device placement without biopsy sampling.
- 19283Breast localizationFirst lesion, stereotactic guidance
- 19283 is the first-lesion localization code for stereotactic guidance, rather than MRI guidance.
19287 billing questions
When should 19287 be used instead of 19288?
Use 19287 for the first lesion localized with MRI guidance. Report 19288 for each additional lesion.
How does 19287 differ from 19285?
Both describe percutaneous breast localization device placement, but 19287 uses MRI guidance and 19285 uses ultrasound guidance.
Can 19287 be reported for a breast biopsy?
19287 describes placement of a localization device, not tissue sampling. For an MRI-guided percutaneous biopsy with marker placement, consider 19085, which includes the biopsy service.
Is MRI guidance separately reported with 19287?
No. MRI guidance for the localization placement is included in 19287.
What documentation supports 19287?
Document the breast target, percutaneous device placement, and use of MRI guidance. Identify additional lesions separately when reporting 19288.
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.
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