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Official Description

Biopsy of penis; (separate procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A biopsy of the penis, as described by CPT® Code 54100, is a medical procedure that involves the removal of a small sample of tissue from the penis for diagnostic purposes. This procedure is classified as a separate procedure, indicating that it is performed independently and is not part of a more extensive surgical operation. The process begins with the disinfection of the area where the biopsy will be conducted, ensuring that the site is clean to minimize the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then administered to numb the area, allowing the patient to undergo the procedure with minimal discomfort. Following anesthesia, a precise incision is made in the skin over the lesion or area of concern. The physician carefully obtains a tissue sample from this site, which is crucial for further analysis. Once the sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation, where it will be examined microscopically to determine the presence of any abnormalities or diseases. This procedure is distinct from CPT® Code 54105, which involves a biopsy of deeper tissues and may require a general anesthetic, as it entails more extensive dissection of surrounding tissues to access the suspicious mass.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Biopsy of the penis (CPT® Code 54100) is indicated for various clinical scenarios where there is a need to investigate abnormalities in the penile tissue. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Suspicious Lesions - The presence of lesions or growths on the penis that appear abnormal and require further evaluation to rule out malignancy or other pathological conditions.
  • Unexplained Symptoms - Symptoms such as persistent pain, unusual discharge, or changes in skin texture that do not respond to standard treatments may necessitate a biopsy to determine the underlying cause.
  • Follow-Up on Previous Findings - Patients with a history of penile lesions or previous biopsies may require additional sampling to monitor changes or assess the effectiveness of treatment.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a biopsy of the penis involves several critical steps to ensure accurate tissue sampling and patient safety. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Preparation - The area of the penis where the biopsy will be performed is thoroughly disinfected to reduce the risk of infection. This step is crucial for maintaining a sterile environment during the procedure.
  • Anesthesia Administration - A local anesthetic is administered to the patient to numb the area, ensuring that the procedure can be performed with minimal discomfort. This allows the physician to proceed without causing pain to the patient.
  • Incision - Once the area is anesthetized, the physician makes a small incision in the skin overlying the lesion. This incision is carefully placed to access the tissue that needs to be sampled.
  • Tissue Sample Collection - The physician then obtains a tissue sample from the lesion. This sample is critical for histological evaluation, as it will be analyzed for any signs of disease or abnormality.
  • Sample Handling - After the tissue sample is collected, it is properly prepared and sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation. This evaluation is essential for diagnosing any underlying conditions based on the cellular structure of the tissue.

3. Post-Procedure

After the biopsy procedure is completed, the patient may be monitored briefly to ensure there are no immediate complications. Post-procedure care typically includes instructions on how to care for the biopsy site to promote healing and prevent infection. Patients may be advised to keep the area clean and dry, and to avoid any activities that could irritate the site, such as vigorous exercise or sexual activity, for a specified period. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the histological evaluation and to determine if any further treatment is necessary based on the findings.

Short Descr BIOPSY OF PENIS
Medium Descr BIOPSY PENIS SEPARATE PROCEDURE
Long Descr Biopsy of penis; (separate procedure)
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) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 116 - Diagnostic procedures, male genital
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.)
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
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
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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