CPT code 88160: Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretation2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Missouri
Use this code for screening and interpretation of a cytology smear from a non-cervical, non-vaginal source when the smear is already prepared.
Medicare pays $72.62–$78.42 for 88160 in the office in Missouri, from Rest of Missouri to Metropolitan St. Louis, MO. Which amount applies depends on the service address.
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
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On this page 9 sections
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 in Missouri
The same RVUs, adjusted for each area’s costs. Open a locality for its calculation, history and nearby areas.
3 payment localities
$72.62 to $78.42
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MO | $77.56 | Unavailable |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MO | $78.42 | Unavailable |
| Rest of Missouri | $72.62 | Unavailable |
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.
How the rate is built · 88160
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work0.49
0.49 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense1.92
1.92 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.03
0.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
2.4400
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$81.50
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88160
The CMS indicators that decide how 88160 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88160
Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretation
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | XXX | The global surgery concept doesn’t apply. |
| Multiple procedures | 0 | No multiple-procedure reduction. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 1 | Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components. |
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 26 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
88160 without 26 · national office
$81.50
Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretation
88160-26 · Professional component
$24.05
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88160 compared with similar codes
Compare codes · National
5 codes, side by side
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.
88160 billing questions
How does 88160 differ from 88161?
88160 is for screening and interpretation of an already prepared smear. 88161 includes preparation as well as screening and interpretation.
Can 88160 be used for a cervical or vaginal smear?
No. This code is for smears from other sources; cervical or vaginal cytology belongs to the applicable gynecologic cytology code.
Which modifiers identify the components?
Modifier 26 reports the professional interpretation, and modifier TC reports the technical component. Reporting without either modifier represents the global service.
What specimen details support reporting this code?
Document the specimen source and that a prepared smear was screened and interpreted. The record should make clear that the specimen is not cervical or vaginal.
Is this the code for fine-needle aspiration evaluation?
No. Fine-needle aspiration evaluation uses codes specific to that service; 88160 describes screening and interpretation of a smear from another source.
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
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