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Official Description

Biopsy, bone, trocar, or needle; deep (eg, vertebral body, femur)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 20225 refers to a biopsy of deep bone structures, such as the vertebral body or femur, using a trocar or needle. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, although general anesthesia may be utilized in certain cases. The primary objective of this biopsy is to obtain a tissue sample from the bone for diagnostic purposes. During the procedure, a large needle is initially inserted into the spinous process or a superficial area of the bone to facilitate access. Following this, an exploration needle is positioned to guide the process, and a smaller needle is then inserted through the exploration needle to collect the bone tissue sample. This technique allows for precise targeting of deep bone areas, which may be necessary for diagnosing various conditions affecting the bone. Importantly, the procedure usually does not require closure of the site after the biopsy is completed, simplifying the post-procedure care and recovery process.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The biopsy procedure indicated by CPT® Code 20225 is performed for various clinical reasons, particularly when there is a need to investigate abnormalities within deep bone structures. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Bone Tumors The presence of suspected malignant or benign tumors within the bone that require histological examination.
  • Infections Suspected osteomyelitis or other infections affecting the bone that necessitate tissue sampling for microbiological analysis.
  • Bone Disorders Conditions such as osteoporosis or metabolic bone diseases that may require further investigation through tissue analysis.
  • Unexplained Bone Pain Persistent or unexplained pain in the bone that may indicate underlying pathology requiring biopsy for diagnosis.

2. Procedure

The procedure for performing a deep bone biopsy as described by CPT® Code 20225 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate tissue sampling. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Anesthesia Administration The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to the patient, ensuring that the area is numb and minimizing discomfort during the biopsy. In certain cases, general anesthesia may be used based on the patient's condition and the physician's discretion.
  • Step 2: Initial Needle Insertion A large needle is then carefully inserted into the spinous process or a superficial area of the bone. This initial insertion is crucial as it provides access to the deeper bone structures that need to be biopsied.
  • Step 3: Exploration Needle Positioning Following the initial insertion, an exploration needle is positioned within the bone. This needle serves as a guide for the subsequent steps and helps ensure that the biopsy is taken from the correct location.
  • Step 4: Tissue Sample Collection A smaller needle is then inserted through the exploration needle to obtain a sample of the bone tissue. This step is critical for acquiring the necessary specimen for diagnostic evaluation.
  • Step 5: Completion of the Procedure Once the tissue sample is collected, the procedure is typically concluded without the need for closure of the site, as the needle insertion does not usually require suturing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the biopsy procedure, patients are generally monitored for any immediate complications, although significant post-procedure care is often minimal due to the nature of the procedure. Patients may experience some discomfort or soreness at the biopsy site, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief. It is important for patients to follow any specific post-procedure instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include activity restrictions or signs of complications to watch for. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the biopsy results and any further necessary interventions based on the findings.

Short Descr BONE BIOPSY TROCAR/NDL DEEP
Medium Descr BIOPSY BONE TROCAR/NEEDLE DEEP
Long Descr Biopsy, bone, trocar, or needle; deep (eg, vertebral body, femur)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 159 - Other diagnostic procedures on musculoskeletal system

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

77002 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
MC Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues
MG The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional
MH Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
T1 Left foot, second digit
T2 Left foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
T5 Right foot, great toe
T7 Right foot, third digit
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
TA Left foot, great toe
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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Action
Notes
2024-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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