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Official Description

Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch, single or multiple, any approach

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A biopsy of the prostate is a medical procedure that involves the removal of tissue samples from the prostate gland for diagnostic purposes. This procedure is typically indicated when there are signs of prostate enlargement, a palpable mass, or an elevated level of prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) in the patient's blood. The biopsy can be performed using a needle or punch technique, which can be executed through various approaches, including transrectal or transurethral methods. In a transrectal biopsy, a large bore needle or a spring-loaded punch needle is inserted through the rectum, often with the assistance of a needle guide. This approach may utilize transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) to accurately guide the needle to the appropriate site within the prostate. Alternatively, in a transurethral biopsy, a cystoscope is employed to visualize the prostate gland, allowing the physician to obtain tissue samples directly. The samples collected during the biopsy are then sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation, which is essential for diagnosing potential prostate conditions. It is important to note that this procedure is distinct from an incisional biopsy, which involves a surgical incision to access the prostate and is typically performed using a transperineal approach.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The biopsy of the prostate is performed under specific clinical indications, which include:

  • Prostate Enlargement The procedure is indicated when there is an observable enlargement of the prostate gland.
  • Palpable Mass A biopsy may be warranted if a palpable mass is detected during a physical examination.
  • Elevated PSA Levels The procedure is commonly performed when a patient has an elevated prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which may suggest the presence of prostate abnormalities.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a prostate biopsy involves several key steps, which are detailed as follows:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area is prepared for the procedure. This may include cleansing the rectal area if a transrectal approach is used.
  • Step 2: Anesthesia Administration Local anesthesia may be administered to minimize discomfort during the biopsy. This is particularly important for patient comfort during the needle insertion.
  • Step 3: Needle Insertion A large bore needle or a spring-loaded punch needle is inserted through the rectum for a transrectal biopsy or through the urethra for a transurethral biopsy. The physician may use a needle guide to ensure accurate placement.
  • Step 4: Tissue Sample Collection The needle is advanced into the prostate gland to obtain tissue samples. This can involve sampling from a single site or multiple sites within the prostate to ensure adequate tissue for diagnosis.
  • Step 5: Ultrasound Guidance (if applicable) If a transrectal approach is utilized, a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) may be employed to guide the needle placement accurately.
  • Step 6: Cystoscope Utilization (if applicable) In cases where a transurethral approach is used, a cystoscope is inserted to visualize the prostate gland, allowing for precise biopsy sampling.
  • Step 7: Sample Handling The collected tissue samples are carefully handled and sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation, which is crucial for diagnosing any potential prostate conditions.

3. Post-Procedure

After the biopsy procedure, patients may experience some discomfort or minor bleeding, which is generally expected. It is important for patients to follow any post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider. This may include recommendations for pain management, activity restrictions, and signs of complications to watch for, such as excessive bleeding or signs of infection. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the histological evaluation and any further necessary actions based on the findings.

Short Descr BIOPSY OF PROSTATE
Medium Descr PROSTATE NEEDLE BIOPSY ANY APPROACH
Long Descr Biopsy, prostate; needle or punch, single or multiple, any approach
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 1
CCS Clinical Classification 116 - Diagnostic procedures, male genital

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

0443T Male Edit Add On Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Real-time spectral analysis of prostate tissue by fluorescence spectroscopy, including imaging guidance (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
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).
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
AG Primary physician
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
JZ Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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.
73 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure prior to the administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may cancel a surgical or diagnostic procedure subsequent to the patient's surgical preparation (including sedation when provided, and being taken to the room where the procedure is to be performed), but prior to the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s) or general). under these circumstances, the intended service that is prepared for but cancelled can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 73. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 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).
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.
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)
CG Policy criteria applied
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
HO Masters degree level
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)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
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
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
SU Procedure performed in physician's office (to denote use of facility and equipment)
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
TG Complex/high tech level of care
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
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Guidelines changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Medium description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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