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Official Description

Biopsy, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area; superficial

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 27040 refers to a biopsy procedure performed on the soft tissues of the pelvis and hip area, specifically targeting superficial structures. Soft tissues encompass a variety of components, including muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the tissues that surround joints. During this procedure, anesthesia is administered, which may be local, regional, or general, or conscious sedation, depending on the specific site and depth of the biopsy being performed. Prior to the biopsy, the area over the intended site is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A surgical incision is then made, allowing the physician to dissect the tissue down to the mass or lesion while taking care to avoid damaging any nearby blood vessels and nerves. Once the tissue sample is obtained, it is sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation, which is reported separately. After the sample is collected, the incision is closed using sutures. It is important to note that for deeper tissue biopsies that require more extensive dissection, such as those performed below the muscle fascia or within the muscle itself, the appropriate code to use is 27041, while 27040 is specifically designated for superficial biopsies.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The biopsy of soft tissue in the pelvis and hip area is indicated for various clinical scenarios where there is a need to obtain a tissue sample for diagnostic purposes. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Suspicion of Tumors - When there is a palpable mass or lesion that raises concern for malignancy or other pathological conditions.
  • Infection - In cases where there is a suspected infection in the soft tissues that requires histological confirmation.
  • Inflammatory Conditions - To evaluate chronic inflammatory processes that may be affecting the soft tissues.
  • Unexplained Pain - When patients present with unexplained pain in the hip or pelvic region, and further investigation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a superficial biopsy of the soft tissue in the pelvis and hip area involves several key steps, which are outlined as follows:

  • Preparation - The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area over the planned biopsy site is cleansed with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Anesthesia Administration - Depending on the depth and location of the biopsy, local, regional, or general anesthesia, or conscious sedation is administered to ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure.
  • Incision and Dissection - A surgical incision is made at the biopsy site. The physician carefully dissects the tissue down to the mass or lesion, taking special care to protect surrounding blood vessels and nerves to avoid complications.
  • Tissue Sample Collection - Once the lesion is accessed, a tissue sample is obtained. This sample is critical for histological evaluation and is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
  • Closure - After the tissue sample is collected, the incision is closed using sutures to promote proper healing.

3. Post-Procedure

After the biopsy procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as excessive bleeding or infection. Instructions for post-procedure care are provided, which may include keeping the biopsy site clean and dry, monitoring for signs of infection, and managing any discomfort with prescribed pain relief. Patients are advised to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss the results of the histological evaluation and any further management that may be necessary based on the findings.

Short Descr BIOPSY OF SOFT TISSUES
Medium Descr BIOPSY SOFT TISSUE PELVIS&HIP AREA SUPERFICIAL
Long Descr Biopsy, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area; superficial
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - 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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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