CSHCN Services Program 2010 > Laboratory Services > Benefits, Limitations, and Authorization Requirements

   
 

24.2.7 Cytopathology Studies Other Than Vaginal, Cervical, or Uterine

Procurement and handling of the specimen is not reimbursed separately for cytopathology of sites other than vaginal, cervical, or uterine and is considered part of the evaluation and management of the client. These procedures may be reimbursed according to the POS where the cytopathology smear is interpreted.

Procedure codes 88160, 88161, and 88162 are payable for the total component and technical component in the office (place of service [POS] 1), outpatient setting (POS 5), or independent laboratory (POS 6). Procedure codes 88160, 88161, and 88162 are payable for the interpretation in the inpatient (POS 3) or outpatient (POS 5) settings.

Procedure codes 88160, 88161, and 88162 are payable to a pathologist for the interpretation in the inpatient hospital (POS 3) and outpatient (POS 5) settings.

Procedure codes 88160 or 88161 total components and interpretations are denied as part of the total component and interpretation for procedure code 88162.

Procedure code 88160 total component and interpretation is denied as part of the total component and interpretation for procedure code 88161.

Reimbursement for the total component or interpretation and technical component for procedure codes 88160, 88161, and 88162 is limited to pathologists (doctor of medicine [MD] and doctor of osteopathy [DO]) and laboratories (CLIA-certified to provide pathology services).


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