2025 CPT code 88150
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Pathology and Laboratory Procedures - Manual Screening Cytopathology Procedures Feed
Manual screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology slides under physician supervision.
Modifiers may apply in certain circumstances. Consult the CPT manual for details.
Medical necessity for a Pap smear is established by the physician's clinical judgment based on the patient's age, risk factors (e.g., family history of cervical cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding), or other clinical indications.The necessity for manual screening would depend on the lab's capabilities and the physician's preference.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory analyst for performing the technical analysis under physician supervision. The ordering physician is responsible for medical decision-making based on the results.A pathologist typically interprets the results if abnormalities are detected.
In simple words: A lab technician examines a slide of cells from a woman's cervix or vagina under a microscope to check for abnormalities, overseen by a doctor.This is usually part of a Pap smear test.
This CPT code, 88150, represents the technical component of manually analyzing a cytopathology slide containing cells obtained from the cervix or vagina.The analysis is performed by a laboratory analyst under the direct supervision of a physician.The procedure involves microscopic examination of the slide for cellular abnormalities.This is typically a one-time screening; rescreening is not included in this code. The specimen is typically a Pap smear, but it may include other types of cervical or vaginal cell samples.This is distinct from a biopsy which involves removal of tissue.
Example 1: A 25-year-old female presents for her annual well-woman exam, including a Pap smear. The Pap smear is collected and sent to the lab for analysis using manual microscopy. Code 88150 would be reported for the technical component of the lab work., A 40-year-old female presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Her physician orders a Pap smear to rule out malignancy. Following manual microscopy in the lab, code 88150 is billed for the technical component. If the physician interprets the results as abnormal, code 88141 would also be reported., A 60-year-old female with a history of abnormal Pap smears has a repeat Pap smear done, and the slide is evaluated manually in the lab. Code 88150 is billed for the manual analysis.
* Patient demographics* Ordering physician information* Date of service* Specimen type (e.g., Pap smear)* Laboratory report indicating manual screening* Physician's interpretation (if abnormal)
** This code only covers the technical component of the manual microscopic analysis.Separate codes are required for physician professional interpretation (e.g., 88141) if abnormal results are identified.Payer-specific requirements and guidelines should always be consulted.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Information not available in source. Consult the relevant fee schedule for current RVU values.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is a laboratory procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A TC modifier would not typically be applied to this code, as it represents the entire technical component of the lab procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in source. Consult historical fee schedules for information on past reimbursement rates.
- Specialties:Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Laboratory