Basics of CPT code 88175
A screening Pap test (called a Pap smear) is a lab test used to detect early cervical cancer. A health care provider takes a cervical cell sample and interprets the test results. A screening pelvic exam helps detect precancers, genital cancers, infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), reproductive system abnormalities, and other genital and vaginal problems.A screening Pap test (called a Pap smear) is a lab test used to detect early cervical cancer. A health care provider takes a cervical cell sample and interprets the test results. CPT code 88175 is one of the code used for cytopathology exam for cervical or vaginal specimen, which is used to report this exam.
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Description of CPT code 88175
These tests may be identified by the brand name ThinPrep. Specimen collection is by cervical or endocervical scraping or aspiration of vaginal fluid. CPT code 88174 is reported for automated screening done under physician supervision and CPT code 88175 is reported when automated screening is followed by manual rescreening or review under physician supervision.
88174 Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; with screening by automated system and manual rescreening, under physician supervision
When reporting Pap smear procedures, the code that describes the specific cytopathology method(s) used should be chosen. When additional services are provided, code 88141 is treated as an additional code and should be reported in addition to the code for the specific cytopathology method(s). Furthermore, the parenthetical note following code 88141 states that it may be reported in conjunction with code 88175.
In order to distinguish between slide preparation types and the use of automated primary screening, several revisions were made to the cytopathology section of the CPT book. CPT code 88174, Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; screening by automated system, under physician supervision, and 88175, Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; with screening by automated system and manual rescreening, under physician supervision, were created to report the new slide preparation systems.