CPT^® 88162, Under Cytopathology Screening Procedures

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 88162 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Cytopathology Screening Procedures.

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Summary

The lab analyst performs the technical lab test to analyze smears. This test involves more than five slides, multiple stains, or both. Specific codes are available for cervical, vaginal, fine needle aspirates, body fluids, washings, etc., and you should use 88162 only if there is no other more specific code available.

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88112 vs 88305

Good evening, a cell block can be billed as an adjunct preparation, granted with proper documentation. Below is a snip it from the Path handbook. Cell Block, Any Source (88305). The term refers to a ... [ Read More ]

modifier 59 or 91

The 91 modifier should only be used if the exact same testing is being performed on different specimens for medically necessary reasons. It should not be used to indicate multiple units. CPT code 8254... [ Read More ]

touch preps with multi stains

I've never coded this combination, but it appears you can if you use a -59 on the 88162.... [ Read More ]

touch preps with multi stains

hi all, If a touch prep is done (88333) and multiple cytologic stains (pap & diff quick) are employed, can you report 88162 with 88333? thanks! Shena Betts, CPC... [ Read More ]

Non gyn cytology

[b]pyounes[/b] Hello, Cytology is billed by procedure, and 4 cytospins (88108) would not be considered excessive and would not warrant an 88162. Good luck... [ Read More ]

Non gyn cytology

Coding cytology fluids for group of Pathologist has me very confused as to correct CPT codes. Please guide me. Pathologist insist on using the 88162 ext study 5 slides or more. Two examples follow. ... [ Read More ]

88160 help!!

if the documenation says 10 sets of 2 sides of FNA of lymp node should it be 88160 x2, or just the 88162?... [ Read More ]

88162 with 88313

Is it ok to bill these 2 codes together? I asked the pathologist for an example of when both would apply to a case and he said: "these almost always occur with skinny needle biopsies. Touch imprints... [ Read More ]

Cytospins immunostains

:confused:NEED HELP WITH THIS CODING. SOURCE: pLEURAL FLUID. GROSS DESCRIPTION: 1000 CC CLEAR AMBER FLUID IN FLUID BAG, FROM WHICH FOUR CYTOSPINS ARE PREPAIRED AND STAINED WITH PAPANICOLAOU AND GIEM... [ Read More ]

cytopathology smears

A thinprep NGYN specimen is 88112. 88162 should not be substituted for or added to a thin prep NGYN specimen. Nor should any other cytology charge for that matter.... [ Read More ]

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