CPT code 19085: Breast biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Chico

Reports percutaneous tissue sampling of a breast lesion targeted with MRI, for the first lesion biopsied using MRI guidance.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality7.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Chico, Medicare pays $771.88 for 19085 in the office and $149.92 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$771.88Office (non-facility)
$149.92Hospital or facility
+7.4%vs the national office rate ($718.79)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 19085 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 19085 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Chico
  2. What 19085 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 19085 covers

This service covers percutaneous sampling of a breast lesion located and targeted with magnetic resonance imaging, typically when the lesion is not adequately accessible for targeting by ultrasound or mammography. A radiologist or other qualified breast imager guides a biopsy needle to the lesion, obtains tissue, and may place a marker clip and image the specimen. The code represents the biopsy with MRI guidance, not a diagnostic breast MRI alone or surgical removal of the lesion.

Report 19085 for the first lesion sampled with MRI guidance; report 19086 for each additional lesion sampled with that guidance. The record should support the targeted lesion, MRI guidance, tissue sampling, and any marker placement or specimen imaging performed. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day preoperative and postoperative care is included. In a same-session multiple-procedure claim, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%; 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.

How Chico compares for 19085

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 19085 runs from $630.14 in Arkansas to $986.53 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (San Benito Cnty). Chico pays $771.88. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

19085 in Chico vs other payment areas
  1. Chico · this page$771.88
  2. Bakersfield · California$772.97+$1.09
  3. El Centro · California$771.94+$0.06
  4. Fresno · California$771.88
  5. Hanford-Corcoran · California$771.88
  6. Madera · California$771.88

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

Every other payment area

19085 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
MercedCalifornia$771.88$149.92
ModestoCalifornia$771.88$149.92
NapaCalifornia$907.66$159.72
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-VenturaCalifornia$824.81$154.05
ReddingCalifornia$771.88$149.92
Rest Of CaliforniaCalifornia$771.88$149.92
Riverside-San Bernardino-OntarioCalifornia$775.70$153.74
Sacramento-Roseville-FolsomCalifornia$813.56$153.58

19085 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.

$630.14

$879.20

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

View every state and territory as a table
19085 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$811.081
AL$640.151
AR$630.141
AZ$698.861
CA$771.88–$986.5329
CO$755.321
CT$768.931
DC$831.271
DE$711.141
FL$698.77–$760.793
GA$657.47–$730.912
GU$794.491
HI$794.491
IA$661.711
ID$665.541
IL$674.17–$744.534
IN$669.821
KS$656.491
KY$652.471
LA$650.62–$685.652
MA$749.50–$836.542
MD$726.08–$831.273
ME$667.29–$709.182
MI$669.09–$706.212
MN$727.621
MO$637.27–$690.563
MS$633.931
MT$718.761
NC$675.141
ND$711.841
NE$666.201
NH$741.461
NJ$778.81–$821.222
NM$672.291
NV$717.421
NY$685.89–$847.635
OH$667.681
OK$653.211
OR$712.96–$783.022
PA$669.89–$747.312
PR$725.091
RI$739.201
SC$672.311
SD$711.021
TN$659.821
TX$664.99–$751.838
UT$682.281
VA$705.35–$831.272
VI$725.091
VT$707.131
WA$748.73–$856.172
WI$685.981
WV$646.731
WY$715.751

See 19085 in every payment locality

How the 19085 rate is calculated

Each of 19085’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 · 19085

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Work3.55

3.55 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense17.62

17.62 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.35

0.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

21.5200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$718.79

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

The exact Chico inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

1,663

Code
19085
Physician work
3.55
Practice expense
17.62
Malpractice
0.35

GPCI2026.csv

9

Locality
Chico
Physician work
1.017
Practice expense
1.096
Malpractice
0.536
Office calculation for 19085 in Chico
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work3.55× 1.0173.6103
Practice expense17.62× 1.09619.3115
Malpractice0.35× 0.5360.1876
Total RVUs23.1095
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Chico$771.88

Office: (3.55 × 1.017 + 17.62 × 1.096 + 0.35 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $771.88

Facility: (3.55 × 1.017 + 0.63 × 1.096 + 0.35 × 0.536) × $33.4009 = $149.92

Open 19085 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 19085

The CMS indicators that decide how 19085 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 19085

Breast biopsy

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

19085 without 50 · national office

$718.79

Breast biopsy

19085-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$1,078.19

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 19085 has changed in Chico

19085 · Office / nonfacility

$771.88

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $8.71 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $763.17 to $771.88 (1.1%).

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

    $763.17changed to$771.88

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 3.64 changed to 3.55
    • Practice expense RVU 18.04 changed to 17.62
    • Malpractice RVU 0.33 changed to 0.35
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.017
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.093 changed to 1.096
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.560 changed to 0.536

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $809.38changed to$763.17

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 18.70 changed to 18.04

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $796.17changed to$809.38

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $839.91changed to$796.17

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 19.36 changed to 18.70
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.33
    • Work GPCI 1.021 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.093
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.579 changed to 0.560
  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $869.94changed to$839.91

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 19.92 changed to 19.36
    • Work GPCI 1.027 changed to 1.021
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.065 changed to 1.079
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.597 changed to 0.579

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $954.61changed to$869.94

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 22.01 changed to 19.92
    • Malpractice RVU 0.30 changed to 0.31

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $999.62changed to$954.61

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 22.24 changed to 22.01
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.027
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.070 changed to 1.065
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.580 changed to 0.597

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $1047.17changed to$999.62

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 23.43 changed to 22.24
    • Malpractice RVU 0.32 changed to 0.30
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.024
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.074 changed to 1.070
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.562 changed to 0.580

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $1089.90changed to$1047.17

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 24.57 changed to 23.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.31 changed to 0.32

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $1107.26changed to$1089.90

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 24.93 changed to 24.57
    • Malpractice RVU 0.37 changed to 0.31
    • Work GPCI 1.024 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.079 changed to 1.074
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.610 changed to 0.562

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    No ratechanged to$1107.26

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    No ratechanged toNo rate

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D, RVU15A, RVU15B, RVU15C, RVU15D, RVU16A, RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. 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$771.88$149.92RVU26D
2026-07-01$771.88$149.92RVU26C
2026-04-01$771.88$149.92RVU26B
2026-01-01$771.88$149.92RVU26A
2025-10-01$763.17$172.39RVU25D
2025-07-01$763.17$172.39RVU25C
2025-04-01$763.17$172.39RVU25B
2025-01-01$763.17$172.39RVU25A
2024-10-01$809.38$175.95RVU24D
2024-07-01$809.38$175.95RVU24C
2024-04-01$809.38$175.95RVU24B
2024-03-09$809.38$175.95RVU24AR
2024-01-01$796.17$173.08RVU24A
2023-10-01$839.91$180.29RVU23D
2023-07-01$839.91$180.29RVU23C
2023-04-01$839.91$180.29RVU23B
2023-01-01$839.91$180.29RVU23A
2022-10-01$869.94$184.05RVU22D
2022-07-01$869.94$184.05RVU22C
2022-04-01$869.94$184.05RVU22B
2022-01-01$869.94$184.05RVU22A
2021-10-01$954.61$185.74RVU21D
2021-07-01$954.61$185.74RVU21C
2021-04-01$954.61$185.74RVU21B
2021-01-01$954.61$185.74RVU21A
2020-10-01$999.62$192.54RVU20D
2020-07-01$999.62$192.54RVU20C
2020-04-01$999.62$192.54RVU20B
2020-01-01$999.62$192.54RVU20A
2019-10-01$1,047.17$192.15RVU19D
2019-07-01$1,047.17$192.15RVU19C
2019-04-01$1,047.17$192.15RVU19B
2019-01-01$1,047.17$192.15RVU19A
2018-10-01$1,089.90$191.74RVU18D
2018-07-01$1,089.90$191.74RVU18C
2018-04-01$1,089.90$191.74RVU18B
2018-01-01$1,089.90$191.74RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$1,107.26$194.53RVU17D
2017-07-01$1,107.26$194.53RVU17C
2017-04-01$1,107.26$194.53RVU17B
2017-01-01$1,107.26$194.53RVU17A
2016-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16D
2016-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16C
2016-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16B
2016-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU16A
2015-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15D
2015-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15C
2015-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15B
2015-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU15A
2014-10-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14D
2014-07-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14C
2014-04-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14B
2014-01-01Rate data unavailableRate data unavailableRVU14A
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 19085 for an earlier date of service

Where the Chico rate applies

Chico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 30 cities and communities in California. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in California

19085 billing questions

When is 19085 used instead of 19083?

Use 19085 when MRI guides the percutaneous breast biopsy. Use 19083 when ultrasound provides the guidance.

How is a second MRI-guided lesion reported?

Report 19086 for each additional lesion sampled with MRI guidance, along with 19085 for the first lesion.

Are marker placement and specimen imaging separately reported?

Marker placement and imaging of the biopsy specimen are included in 19085 when performed; they are not separate services under this code.

How should bilateral MRI-guided biopsies be reported?

CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document the biopsies performed on both breasts.

What documentation supports 19085?

Document the breast lesion targeted, MRI guidance, and percutaneous tissue sampling. Record marker placement and specimen imaging when performed.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be billed?

Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity. CMS does not permit co-surgeons or team surgery for this code.

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 19085PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 1,663 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for ChicoGPCI2026.csv, line 9 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

Did this answer your question about what 19085 pays in Chico?

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

Fee sheets

Put 19085 and the rest of your codes on one sheet

Build a fee sheet from your own code list at your locality, put your payer contracts beside Medicare, and see what changed each quarter.

Build my fee sheetOr price your code list free →