Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: Should I use 795.01 on an abnormal repeat cervical Pap?

South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: If the patient's last one was abnormal and you are doing the first follow-up, you should use the code that best describes the abnormality for this visit. 

If the first Pap came back showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), this visit to collect the next is also ASCUS (you code what you know at the end of the visit). Then, you would report 795.01 (Nonspecific abnormal

Papanicolaou smear of cervix).

If the follow-up Pap comes back normal and you are doing another repeat in three months, the diagnosis for that repeat becomes V72.32 (Gynecological examination; encounter for Papanicolaou cervical smear to confirm findings of recent normal

smear following initial abnormal smear).