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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesCytopathology Screening ProceduresCPT cpt-88141-cervical-vaginal-cytopathology-interpretation
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    CPT 88141: Cervical or Vaginal Cytopathology Interpretation

    Medicare pays $25 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 88141 describes the physician professional interpretation and analysis of a cervical or vaginal cytopathology specimen (reported using Bethesda or another reporting system); this is a pathology interpretation service performed by a physician and is typically associated with outpatient laboratory or clinic specimen processing rather than the technical laboratory preparation of the specimen.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: General Inflammation Testing, Urine Culture Testing for Bacteria, Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old woman presents to a gynecology clinic for routine cervical cancer screening. A clinician obtains a cervical cytology specimen using a cervical brush and transfers the sample to a vial for cytology processing. The laboratory performs the cytologic preparation (liquid-based or conventional smear) and the physician (pathologist or cytotechnologist under physician supervision) reviews the prepared slides, interprets cellular findings using the Bethesda reporting system, and issues a professional cytology interpretation. The workflow includes specimen accessioning in the lab, slide preparation and staining, microscopic review by the interpreting physician, documentation of the interpretation (including adequacy, specimen type, and any abnormal findings), and transmission of results to the ordering clinician. Billing uses 88141 for the professional interpretation component; the technical component (laboratory processing) is billed separately when applicable. Typical sites of service are outpatient gynecology clinics, hospital outpatient departments, and independent pathology or cytology laboratories. Typical patient scenarios include routine screening, follow-up of abnormal prior cytology, or evaluation for symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain when cytologic assessment is indicated.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88142Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system); requiring interpretation by physician with rescreening by physician — differing complexity levelUsed when interpretation includes additional rescreening steps or higher complexity than 88141 depending on payer rules.
    88164Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal, automated screening with manual review; physician interpretationUsed when an automated screening method is used and manual physician review/interpretation is performed in addition to automated processing.
    88175Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal, collection and preparation of cytology by automated screening (per specimen)Represents the technical/automation component for laboratories that use automated slide preparation or screening systems; often billed by the laboratory separate from the physician interpretation.
    88152Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal; screening smear, automated thin-layer preparation, reported by laboratory (technical)Represents a technical screening/prep code that complements the professional interpretation under 88141.
    88108Cytopathology, urine, body fluid, or other non-gynecologic cytology; interpretationMay be performed in the same laboratory workflow for non-gynecologic specimens; generally separate from 88141 but related by laboratory practice and billing.
    88305Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination (level IV)Used when a concurrent tissue biopsy (e.g., cervical biopsy) is performed for histologic evaluation alongside cytology; interpretation complements cytology findings.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    90Modifier ‑90 (Reference/Outside Laboratory) indicates that a laboratory test was performed by an entity other than the treating or reporting provider. The American Medical Association defines…- Use CPT modifier -90 when a laboratory test is performed by an outside/reference laboratory (an entity other than the treating or reporting physician or qualified professional) and the claim needs…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    364S00000X
    207K00000X
    246ZS0410X
    2086S0127X
    273Y00000X
    207RP1001X
    286500000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Laboratory/Pathology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    General Inflammation TestingOscar Health2027-01-01
    Urine Culture Testing for BacteriaOscar Health2027-01-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2027-01-01
    Policy Regarding Outpatient Definitive Drug TestingMolina Healthcare2027-01-01
    Serum Testing for Evidence of Mild Traumatic Brain InjuryHealthfirst2026-11-01
    Respiratory Viral PanelsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Serum Iron StudiesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Prothrombin Time (PT)Providence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)Providence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Respiratory Viral PanelsProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-88142-THIN-LAYER-CYTOLOGY-MANUAL-SCREENING

    CPT 88142: Thin-Layer Cervical/Vaginal Cytology, Automated Prep with Manual Screening

    CPT-88143-THIN-LAYER-CYTOLOGY-MANUAL-SCREENING

    CPT 88143: Thin-Layer Cervical/Vaginal Cytology, Automated Prep with Manual Screening

    CPT-88147-AUTOMATED-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-SCREENING

    CPT 88147: Automated Cervical/Vaginal Cytology Screening, Technical

    CPT-88148-CYTOPATHOLOGY-AUTOMATED-SCREEN-MANUAL-RESCREEN

    CPT 88148: Automated Cervical/Vaginal Cytology Screen with Manual Rescreening

    CPT-88150-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-SLIDE-ANALYSIS

    CPT 88150: Manual Cervical or Vaginal Cytopathology Technical Analysis

    CPT-88152-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-COMPUTER-ASSISTED-RESCREEN

    CPT 88152: Cervical/Vaginal Cytopathology Manual Technical with Computer-Assisted Rescreening

    CPT-88153-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-MANUAL-RESCREENING

    CPT 88153: Manual Rescreen of Cervical or Vaginal Cytology Slide

    CPT-88155-CERVICOVAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-HORMONE-EVALUATION

    CPT 88155: Cervicovaginal Cytopathology Hormone Evaluation

    CPT-88160-CYTOPATHOLOGY-SMEAR-TECHNICAL-ANALYSIS

    CPT 88160: Cytopathology Smear Screening and Interpretation

    CPT-88161-CYTOPATHOLOGY-SMEAR-TECHNICAL-SCREENING

    CPT 88161: Cytopathology Smear Screening and Technical Analysis

    Showing 1–10 of 15

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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