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Billing code

Z141A — Breast needle biopsy, one or more

Breast needle biopsy

Bill once for one or more needle biopsies of the breast.

Watch for: A large core biopsy with a 14-gauge or larger needle is Z143; add E542 outside hospital.

ProviderSpecialistAssistantAnaesthetistNon-anaesthetist
$37.20$0.00$0.00$0.00$0.00
Code
Z141A
Description
Breast needle biopsy, one or more
FHO+ basket
Not in the FHO+ base rate basket (Schedule 2 or 2B).
Effective date
Apr 1, 2025
Termination date
No end date

Explanation

Updated October 26, 2026

Needle biopsy of the breast, one fee for one or more biopsies. E542 adds when done outside hospital; large core biopsy is Z143.

What it covers

Z141 is needle biopsy of the breast, one or more, listed under Operations of the Breast (M25).

A large core breast biopsy with a 14 gauge or larger bore needle is the separate code Z143 (M25). As a Z code, Z141 is an independent operative procedure, payable in addition to an assessment (GP4).

Billing rules

  • One service covers one or more needle biopsies (M25).
  • Add E542 when performed outside hospital (M25).
  • No surgical assistant fee is payable (Asst nil) (M25).
  • If you did the major pre-operative visit in the previous 12 months, only a minor assessment (GP/FP) or a partial assessment (specialist) is payable before the biopsy that day; if the decision is made at that day's visit, no other assessment before the IOP (SP4).
  • FHO: Z141 counts toward the Schedule 4 special payment for office procedures done in your office for enrolled patients (Agreement p.67 §8.7, p.95).

Often billed with

  • E542 when the biopsy is done in the office (M25).
  • A035 General Surgery consultation when the decision to biopsy is made at the consultation (GP4, SP4).

Related codes: Z143, Z139, Z118, R107, E542, A035

Source: Schedule of Benefits (July 1, 2026), Integumentary System Surgical Procedures, Operations of the Breast, Needle biopsy, page M25; Surgical Preamble SP4; FHO Agreement 2026-04 pp.67, 95

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