Does the reporting system used by the physician for the interpretation of pap smears impact the code selection?
Use add-on code 88141 when the physician interprets the pap smear with any reporting system. In this case, typically, the cytologist or cytotechnician has already interpreted the initial screening of the smear to be abnormal, showing suspicious cells, malignant cells, atypical cells of undetermined significance, or cellular changes simulating epithelial cell abnormality such as repair, radiation effect, and cellular changes associated with viral infection.
This question was answered in our Coding Essentials for Laboratories. For more hot topics relating to laboratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.
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Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
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