CPT code 88160: Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs

Medicare pays $81.50 for 88160 nationally in the office. Local office rates run $71.97–$111.18.

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

What 88160 covers

This service covers microscopic screening and interpretation of a smear made from a non-gynecologic specimen. Examples include smears from urine, sputum, or body-cavity fluid. A cytotechnologist may screen the slide, with a pathologist providing interpretation as needed. The code is relevant when the submitted material is a smear; it is not the cervical or vaginal cytology service or a fine-needle aspiration evaluation.

Choose the code based on the specimen source and the work performed. Documentation should identify the source, support that a smear was examined, and record the screening and interpretation. When the smear is already prepared, this code distinguishes the service from 88161, which includes preparation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: modifier 26 reports the interpretation, modifier TC reports the technical component, and no component modifier represents the global service.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

Where 88160 pays more and less

The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.

109 of 109 payment localities

88160 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

How the 88160 rate is calculated

Each of 88160’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

Payment rules and modifiers for 88160

The CMS indicators that decide how 88160 is paid alongside other services.

What modifiers do to the payment

When to use modifier 26

88160 compared with similar codes

How to choose

88161Cytology smearPreparation, screening, interpretation

Use 88160 when the smear is already prepared for screening and interpretation. Use 88161 when the service also includes preparation.

88162Cytopathology smearAutomated, other source

88162 describes an extended study with selected review of technical preparation, presentation, and clinical information, rather than routine smear screening and interpretation.

88108Concentrated cytologyNon-gynecologic specimen

88108 involves a concentration technique for cytology specimens; 88160 is for screening and interpreting a smear from another source.

88142Pap testPreservative fluid, manual screening

88142 is a cervical or vaginal cytology service using thin-layer preparation. 88160 is for a smear from a different source.

Codes related to 88160

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates