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23.2.8 Cytopathology of Vaginal, Cervical, and Uterine Sites
Because of the technical nature of processing and interpreting a Pap smear or specimen for cytopathology, pathologists are the only physician specialty reimbursed, with the following exception:
Exception: Other physician specialties equipped to perform Pap smears in their offices must have modifier SU on the claim form.
Procurement and handling of the Pap smear or specimen for cytopathology is considered part of the evaluation and management of the client and is not reimbursed separately.
A pathologist must report the place of service (POS) according to where the Pap smear is interpreted: office (POS 1), inpatient (POS 3), outpatient (POS 5), or independent laboratory (POS 6).
The following procedure codes are payable for gynecological cytopathology services and may be reimbursed only to pathologists and CLIA-certified laboratories whose directors providing technical supervision of cytopathology services are pathologists:
Procedure code 88155 is a benefit for the total component, but is not reimbursed when billed in addition to the following cyptopathology procedure codes:
The interpretation portion of any gynecological cytopathology test must be reported using only procedure code 88141 and type of service "I." Reimbursement is restricted to laboratories and pathologists. The interpretation portion may be reimbursed in addition to the following cytopathology procedure codes:
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