How To Use CPT Code 88142

CPT 88142 is a code used for cytopathology procedures involving cervical or vaginal specimens collected in preservative fluid, with automated thin layer preparation and manual screening under physician supervision. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 88142 procedures.

1. What is CPT 88142?

CPT 88142 is a code used in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system to represent a specific type of cytopathology procedure. This procedure involves the analysis of cervical or vaginal specimens collected in preservative fluid, using automated thin layer preparation and manual screening under the supervision of a physician. The code can be applied to any reporting system, such as Bethesda or non-Bethesda systems.

2. 88142 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 88142 is: “Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation; manual screening under physician supervision.”

3. Procedure

1. A clinician collects a cervical or vaginal specimen in preservative fluid, typically during a Pap smear.
2. The specimen is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
3. A lab analyst prepares the specimen using automated thin layer preparation, creating a slide for microscopic analysis.
4. The analyst performs a manual screening of the slide under a microscope, looking for any abnormalities in the cells present.
5. The screening is conducted under the supervision of a qualified physician, typically a pathologist.
6. The results are reported using any applicable reporting system, such as the Bethesda system or a non-Bethesda system.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 88142 services include females undergoing routine annual exams, patients with a family history of cervical cancer, and patients experiencing pain or discharge from the vagina. The code is not limited to testing for specific conditions, but is commonly used for Pap smear analysis.

5. When to use CPT code 88142

It is appropriate to bill CPT 88142 when a cervical or vaginal specimen collected in preservative fluid has been analyzed using automated thin layer preparation and manual screening under physician supervision. This code is applicable for any reporting system and is commonly used for Pap smear analysis.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 88142, the following information should be documented:

• Patient demographics and relevant medical history
• Indication for the procedure (e.g., routine annual exam, family history of cervical cancer, pain or discharge from the vagina)
• Details of the specimen collection, including the type of preservative fluid used
• Automated thin layer preparation method and manual screening process
• Physician supervision during the screening
• Results of the analysis, including any abnormalities found and the reporting system used

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 88142, it is important to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Ensure that the procedure is accurately documented, and that the claim is submitted with the correct code. Additionally, be aware of any payer-specific requirements, such as the use of HCPCS codes for Medicare beneficiaries receiving a screening Pap test.

8. Historical information

CPT 88142 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1998. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 88142

Five similar codes to CPT 88142 include:

• CPT 88141: This code represents the professional interpretation of an abnormal Pap smear by a qualified physician.
• CPT 88147: This code is used for cytopathology smears with screening by an automated system under physician supervision.
• CPT 88148: This code is used for cytopathology smears with screening by an automated system and manual rescreening under physician supervision.
• CPT 88174: This code is used for cytopathology, cervical or vaginal specimens collected in preservative fluid, with automated thin layer preparation and automated screening under physician supervision.
• CPT 88175: This code is used for cytopathology, cervical or vaginal specimens collected in preservative fluid, with automated thin layer preparation, automated screening, and manual rescreening under physician supervision.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT 88142 procedures:

1. A 30-year-old female undergoing a routine annual exam has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
2. A 45-year-old female with a family history of cervical cancer has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
3. A 25-year-old female experiencing vaginal discharge has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
4. A 35-year-old female undergoing a routine annual exam has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
5. A 40-year-old female with a family history of cervical cancer has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
6. A 28-year-old female experiencing pain in the vaginal area has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
7. A 32-year-old female undergoing a routine annual exam has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
8. A 50-year-old female with a family history of cervical cancer has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
9. A 22-year-old female experiencing vaginal discharge has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.
10. A 37-year-old female undergoing a routine annual exam has a Pap smear collected in preservative fluid, which is analyzed using CPT 88142.