2025 HCPCS code P3000
Effective Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory - Pap Smears Feed
Screening Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, cervical or vaginal, up to three smears, performed by a technician under physician supervision.
Modifiers may be applicable. For instance, modifier QP indicates the lab test was ordered individually. Consult modifier guidelines for specific scenarios.
Medical necessity for this code is met when the Pap smear is performed as a routine screening for cervical cancer or related conditions in an asymptomatic patient, according to established guidelines for preventative healthcare.
A technician, under the supervision of a physician (typically a pathologist), collects the cervical/vaginal samples, prepares the slides, and performs the initial screening. The physician is responsible for overall supervision and quality assurance of the procedure.
In simple words: This code describes a routine Pap smear test to check for cervical cancer or other abnormalities. A technician collects cells from the cervix and vagina and examines them under a microscope. This is a screening test for people without any symptoms.
This code represents a screening Pap smear performed by a technician under the supervision of a physician. It includes the collection and preparation of up to three cervical or vaginal smears for microscopic examination to detect abnormal cell changes, infections, or inflammation. This is typically a preventative screening for asymptomatic patients.
Example 1: A 25-year-old asymptomatic female patient presents for a routine well-woman exam, including a Pap smear screening. The technician collects the samples and prepares them for microscopic evaluation., A 40-year-old female patient is referred for a Pap smear following an abnormal HPV test. The technician performs the collection and slide preparation., A 30-year-old female patient presents with vaginal discharge but no other symptoms. A Pap smear is conducted by a technician as part of the diagnostic workup.
Documentation must support that the Pap smear was a screening procedure performed on an asymptomatic patient. The record should indicate the sample source (cervical/vaginal), the number of smears prepared (up to 3), and the technician's involvement under physician supervision.
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pathology
- Place of Service:Office, Clinic, Outpatient Hospital, Mobile Unit