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This code, CPT® 77012, pertains to the use of computed tomography (CT) guidance for various needle placement procedures, including biopsy, aspiration, injection, or the placement of localization devices. The procedure involves the radiological supervision and interpretation of the CT images that are utilized to accurately guide the needle to the target area within the body. During this process, the area of interest is first localized using CT imaging, which provides detailed cross-sectional views of the internal structures. Following localization, the target area is typically anesthetized to minimize discomfort for the patient. Subsequently, a needle is inserted under the guidance of the CT images, allowing for precise placement to perform the intended procedure. This may involve removing tissue samples for biopsy, injecting a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, or localizing a tumor or mass for further evaluation. The CT technology employs multiple narrow X-ray beams that rotate around a single axis, capturing a series of two-dimensional images from various angles. These images are then digitally reconstructed by a computer to create three-dimensional representations, enabling the generation of thin, cross-sectional slices of the area being examined. This advanced imaging technique enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of needle placement procedures, ensuring that healthcare providers can perform interventions with a high degree of precision.
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The indications for utilizing CPT® 77012 include the following:
The procedure associated with CPT® 77012 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate needle placement under CT guidance:
After the completion of the procedure, the patient may be monitored for any immediate complications or side effects. Depending on the specific intervention performed, post-procedure care may include instructions for managing any discomfort, monitoring for signs of infection, and follow-up imaging or appointments to assess the results of the procedure. Patients are typically advised to avoid strenuous activities for a specified period and to report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | CT SCAN FOR NEEDLE BIOPSY | Medium Descr | CT GUIDANCE NEEDLE PLACEMENT | Long Descr | Computed tomography guidance for needle placement (eg, biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), radiological supervision and interpretation | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No 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) | 0 - 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1A - Standard imaging - chest | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 180 - Other CT scan |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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) | 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). | 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 | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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). | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | 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 | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | 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. | 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. | 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.) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | 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 | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | MB | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of insufficient internet access | 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 | PC | Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q3 | Live kidney donor surgery and related services | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | TP | Medical transport, unloaded vehicle | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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Notes
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| 2021-01-01 | Note | Guidelines changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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