Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

With 25 codes to choose from, you'll report only one, maybe two, every time your lab does a Pap test. So how do you know which code(s) to report? Use the table to guide your code selection.
 
"Use the HCPCS Level II codes ['P' and 'G' codes in the table] to report screening Pap tests for Medicare patients," says Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, MA, an independent coding educator based in Fredericksburg, Va. Use the CPT codes from the table for other payers and for diagnostic Pap tests for Medicare patients.

Next, select from the table the code definition that most closely describes the lab and reporting methods used. Finally, if the initial review indicates abnormal findings requiring a pathologist's interpretation, also report the professional code that goes with the technical code.
 
The table pairs HCPCS Level II and CPT codes that have similar definitions. It also lists the appropriate professional code following the technical code(s) it can be used with.