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Pap smear and Urine Cytology

Article Number: 417 | Rating: Unrated | Last Updated: Thu, Jun 16, 2011 1:14 AM

Question

Specimens sent to our facility for a urine cytology (CPT 88108 was charged for this) and Pap smear (CPT 88175) was charged. We are getting a NOT ALLOWED edit stating that 88108 is a component of 88175. Can you explain this?

Answer

I would suggest that you contact the lab to determine if 88108 is the correct code for the urine cytology specimen. It appears that the CCI edit is not recognizing this code as a separate specimen type from the pap smear. Is the urine cytology performed using a concentration technique? If not, a different code assignment would be required. If the current code assignment is correct, there is no way to get around this edit and you will be paid for the PAP smear only.

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