How To Use CPT Code 88150

CPT 88150 describes the manual screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology slides under the supervision of a physician. 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 88150?

CPT 88150 can be used to describe the manual screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology slides under the supervision of a physician. This code is used when a lab analyst performs the technical steps to analyze the cells obtained from the cervix or vagina on a slide, which is then examined manually by a physician.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 88150 is: ‘Cytopathology, slides, cervical or vaginal; manual screening under physician supervision.’

3. Procedure

1. The lab analyst receives a slide containing cells obtained from the cervix or vagina.
2. Under the supervision of a physician, the lab analyst manually examines the slide under a microscope.
3. The lab analyst performs a thorough analysis of the cells, looking for any abnormalities or signs of disease.
4. The physician reviews the findings and provides an interpretation of the results.
5. The lab analyst does not perform a rescreening of the same slides.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 88150 is used when a lab analyst performs the manual screening of cervical or vaginal cytopathology slides under the supervision of a physician. This procedure is typically performed on female patients as part of an annual exam, on patients with a family history of cervical cancer, or on patients experiencing pain or discharge from the vagina.

5. When to use CPT code 88150

CPT code 88150 should be used when a lab analyst manually screens cervical or vaginal cytopathology slides under the supervision of a physician. It is important to note that this code is specifically for the manual screening procedure and should not be used for other types of cytopathology tests or interpretations.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 88150, the following documentation is required:

• Identification of the patient and the reason for the cytopathology screening
• Documentation of the manual screening procedure performed by the lab analyst
• Supervision of the procedure by a physician
• Interpretation of the results by the physician
• Signature of the lab analyst and the supervising physician

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 88150, ensure that the procedure is performed by a lab analyst under the supervision of a physician. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by payers regarding the use of HCPCS codes for screening Pap tests and the appropriate linking of professional and technical codes.

8. Historical information

CPT 88150 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A lab analyst manually screening cervical cytopathology slides obtained from a patient’s cervix under the supervision of a physician.
2. A lab analyst manually screening vaginal cytopathology slides obtained from a patient’s vagina under the supervision of a physician.
3. A lab analyst performing the manual screening of cervical cytopathology slides for a patient with a family history of cervical cancer under the supervision of a physician.
4. A lab analyst manually screening vaginal cytopathology slides for a patient experiencing pain or discharge from the vagina under the supervision of a physician.
5. A lab analyst performing the manual screening of cervical cytopathology slides as part of a routine annual exam for a female patient under the supervision of a physician.
6. A lab analyst manually screening vaginal cytopathology slides obtained from a patient with abnormal Pap smear results under the supervision of a physician.
7. A lab analyst performing the manual screening of cervical cytopathology slides for a patient with a suspected cervical lesion under the supervision of a physician.
8. A lab analyst manually screening vaginal cytopathology slides obtained from a patient with persistent vaginal bleeding under the supervision of a physician.
9. A lab analyst performing the manual screening of cervical cytopathology slides for a patient with a history of cervical dysplasia under the supervision of a physician.
10. A lab analyst manually screening vaginal cytopathology slides obtained from a patient with recurrent vaginal infections under the supervision of a physician.