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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesCytopathology Screening ProceduresCPT cpt-88155-cervicovaginal-cytopathology-hormone-evaluation
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    CPT 88155: Cervicovaginal Cytopathology Hormone Evaluation

    CPT code 88155 reports a laboratory technical procedure in which a lab analyst performs cytopathology analysis of cervical or vaginal slides to evaluate hormonal status using methods such as maturation index, karyopyknotic index, or estrogenic index; this is a laboratory technical service typically performed in a clinical laboratory or hospital pathology lab and is billed in addition to other technical and interpretation services for cytology.

    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 48-year-old female presents to a gynecologic clinic for evaluation of symptoms related to hormonal status, such as irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal atrophy, or menopausal symptoms. The clinician collects a cervical or vaginal cytology specimen using a standard collection device (e.g., swab or cytobrush) and submits slides to the laboratory. A cytology laboratory analyst performs a technical cytopathology test to evaluate the patient’s hormonal effect on the epithelium using methods such as maturation index, karyopyknotic index, or estrogenic index. The analyst prepares, stains, and examines slides microscopically, documents cellular maturation patterns, and generates a technical report to support clinical interpretation. Results are transmitted to the ordering clinician, who integrates findings with clinical history (e.g., menopausal assessment, medication effects, or endocrine disorders) to guide management. Typical site of service is an outpatient gynecology clinic or hospital outpatient laboratory performing cytopathology assays; specimen processing occurs in a clinical laboratory setting equipped for slide preparation and microscopic analysis.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88164Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system); automated screening, under physician supervisionAlternative or complementary screening method that may be used instead of or in addition to manual cytologic evaluation
    88165Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system); screening by automated system with manual rescreening, under physician supervisionUsed when automated methods are supplemented by manual review of selected slides
    88174Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal; automated thin layer preparation, manual screening under physician supervisionRelated technical processing method for liquid-based cytology slides that may precede maturation index assessment
    88142Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal; manual screening, with interpretationManual screening and interpretation of cytology slides; often billed in conjunction with technical analyses
    88155Cytopathology hormonal evaluation (maturation index, karyopyknotic index, estrogenic index)The specific technical cytology assessment described; performed in addition to other technical and interpretation services

    Related Modifiers

    8 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…
    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…
    91Modifier 91 — “Repeat Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test” — is appended when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once for the same patient on the same day because serial,…- Use modifier 91 when the exact same CPT laboratory test is performed more than once on the same patient on the same date because serial or repeated testing is medically necessary to monitor…
    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…
    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…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    207R00000X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207ZF0201X
    311Z00000X
    2081P0301X
    332S00000X

    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-88141-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOPATHOLOGY-INTERPRETATION

    CPT 88141: Cervical or Vaginal Cytopathology Interpretation

    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-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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