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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesFNA Cytopathology ProceduresCPT cpt-88174-automated-thin-layer-cytology-screening
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    CPT 88174: Automated Thin-Layer Cervical/Vaginal Cytology Screening

    CPT code 88174 describes the technical laboratory service in which a lab analyst prepares an automated thin-layer (liquid-based) cervical or vaginal cytology specimen collected in preservative fluid and performs automated screening of the slide under physician supervision; Service type: automated thin-layer cytology screening (technical component); Typical site of service: clinical laboratory or pathology lab receiving preservative fluid cervical/vaginal specimens for automated processing and screening.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood Pressure, Cardiology - Ivabradine, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA).

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 35-year-old woman presents to her primary care clinic for routine cervical cancer screening. The clinician collects a cervical specimen using a cytology brush and places the sample into a liquid preservative vial for liquid-based cytology. The specimen is sent to the clinical laboratory where a cytotechnologist or lab analyst prepares an automated thin-layer slide (e.g., ThinPrep or equivalent) and runs the specimen through an automated screening system under the supervision of a pathologist. The automated system performs primary screening; abnormal or flagged slides are reviewed by the pathologist who issues a final cytology report using the Bethesda reporting system. Typical workflow steps: clinician visit and specimen collection, specimen accessioning, automated thin-layer preparation, automated screening by lab instrumentation, cytotechnologist review and manual rescreening as needed, pathologist review and sign-out, and result reporting to the ordering clinician.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88164Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal (any reporting system), collected in preservative fluid, automated thin layer preparation, screening by automated system, under physician supervision; physician review and final interpretationPerformed when a pathologist provides the professional interpretation of the same thin-layer automated screening — often billed in conjunction with the technical component.
    88142Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal, collected in preservative fluid; automated thin layer preparation, screening and manual rescreening under physician supervision (cytotechnologist screening with manual rescreening)Alternative/additional code for manual screening and rescreening workflows that may accompany or follow automated screening.
    88175Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal; review of previously interpreted slides (e.g., supplemental review)Used when a second review or consultation on cytology slides is requested after initial automated screening and interpretation.
    88177Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal; initial physician review of automated screen with manual rescreening (if applicable)Billed when a physician performs the initial manual review following automated screening rather than or in addition to automated primary screen.
    88174Cytopathology, cervical or vaginal, automated thin layer preparation and automated screening under physician supervision (technical lab analyst component)The primary technical automated screening service described; often linked with interpretation codes when split billing is used.

    Related Modifiers

    5 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…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    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…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207Q00000X
    363L00000X
    207L00000X
    213ES0103X
    341800000X
    207QA0505X
    2471C1106X
    133NN1002X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring for Diagnosis of Hypertension in Patients with Elevated Office Blood PressureBluecross Idaho2026-11-01
    Cardiology - IvabradineCigna2026-10-15
    Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)/Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Percutaneous Ventricular Assist DeviceUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    Cardiovascular Disease Risk AssessmentOscar Health2026-10-01
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart FailureOscar Health2026-10-01
    Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction for Diagnostic Cardiovascular ProceduresBlue Cross Blue Shield - Maine2026-10-01
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesexcellus_health_plan_inc2026-09-17
    Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devicesuniverahealthcare2026-09-17
    Cardiac Omnibus CodesCigna2026-09-15

    Related Codes

    CPT-88172-FNA-CYTOLOGIC-RAPID-ONSITE-EVALUATION

    CPT 88172: Cytopathology Rapid On-Site Evaluation of FNA

    CPT-88173-FINE-NEEDLE-ASPIRATE-CYTOPATHOLOGY-ANALYSIS-AND-REPORT

    CPT 88173: Cytopathology of Fine Needle Aspirate with Interpretation

    CPT-88175-AUTOMATED-THIN-LAYER-CERVICAL-VAGINAL-CYTOLOGY-SCREENING

    CPT 88175: Automated Thin-Layer Cervicovaginal Cytology with Review

    CPT-88177-CYTOPATHOLOGY-RAPID-ON-SITE-EVALUATION-ADDITIONAL-EPISODE

    CPT 88177: Rapid On-Site Cytopathology Evaluation for FNA

    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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