How To Use CPT Code 88148

CPT 88148 describes the screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology smears using an automated system with manual rescreening under physician supervision. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 88148?

CPT 88148 can be used to describe the screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology smears using an automated system with manual rescreening under physician supervision. This code is used when the lab analyst performs the technical steps to screen the smear using an automated system and then manually rescreens the slides. The service is performed under the supervision of a physician.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 88148 is: ‘Cytopathology smears, cervical or vaginal; screening by automated system with manual rescreening under physician supervision.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst obtains a cervical or vaginal cytopathology smear from the patient.
2. The smear is placed on a slide for microscopic analysis.
3. The slide is then screened using an automated system.
4. If the automated system flags a specimen as having a possible abnormality, the lab analyst manually rescreens the same smear under physician supervision.
5. The lab analyst performs all the technical steps required for the screening and rescreening of the smear.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 88148 is used for the screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology smears using an automated system with manual rescreening. This service is typically ordered as part of routine screening for female patients, those with a family history of cervical cancer, or patients with symptoms such as pain or discharge from the vagina. The screening is performed by a lab analyst under the supervision of a physician.

5. When to use CPT code 88148

CPT code 88148 should be used when a cervical or vaginal cytopathology smear is screened using an automated system with manual rescreening under physician supervision. This code is appropriate when the automated system flags a specimen as having a possible abnormality and requires manual rescreening by a lab analyst.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 88148, the following documentation is required:

• Indication for the screening of the cervical or vaginal cytopathology smear
• Details of the automated system used for screening
• Date of the screening and rescreening
• Start and end time of the screening and rescreening
• Results of the screening and rescreening
• Signature of the lab analyst performing the screening and rescreening

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 88148, ensure that the screening and rescreening of the cervical or vaginal cytopathology smear are performed using an automated system under physician supervision. This code should not be reported with other codes for the interpretation of abnormal smears. Medicare requires the use of HCPCS codes for screening Pap tests, so check with other payers for their specific requirements.

8. Historical information

CPT 88148 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1999. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst screens a cervical cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision.
2. A lab analyst screens a vaginal cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision.
3. A lab analyst screens a cervical cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision, with additional computer-assisted rescreening.
4. A lab analyst screens a vaginal cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision, with additional computer-assisted rescreening.
5. A lab analyst screens a cervical cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision, with additional computer-assisted rescreening and review of abnormal findings.
6. A lab analyst screens a vaginal cytopathology smear using an automated system and manually rescreens the slides under physician supervision, with additional computer-assisted rescreening and review of abnormal findings.
7. A lab analyst screens a cervical cytopathology smear using an automated system under physician supervision, when the system screens the slides once.
8. A lab analyst screens a vaginal cytopathology smear using an automated system under physician supervision, when the system screens the slides once.
9. A lab analyst screens a cervical cytopathology smear using an automated system under physician supervision, when the system screens the slides twice.
10. A lab analyst screens a vaginal cytopathology smear using an automated system under physician supervision, when the system screens the slides twice.