Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Question: My internist performed a breast and pelvic exam on a Medicare patient and collected a Pap smear that he sent to a laboratory. Should I report G0101 and Q0091? How often will Medicare cover the services?

Nebraska Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you may report both G0101 (Cervical or vaginal cancer screening; pelvic and clinical breast examination) for the exam and Q0091 (Screening Papanicolaou smear; obtaining, preparing and conveyance of cervical or vaginal smear to laboratory) for the Pap smear collection and handling.
 

If the patient meets Medicare's high-risk criteria, such as early sexual activity or abnormal Pap smears, the carrier will cover annual exams.