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CPT code 88162: Cytopathology smear, automated, other source2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Reports automated screening of a cytopathology smear from a non-cervical, non-vaginal source under physician supervision.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality337 Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $147.15 for 88162 in the office.

$147.15Office (non-facility)
Not available in this settingHospital or facility
+15.3%vs the national office rate ($127.59)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 88162 nationwide

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

We’ll open 88162 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 88162 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 88162 covers

This service covers automated screening of cytology smears from sources other than the cervix or vagina. A cytology laboratory uses an automated system to screen the prepared smear under physician supervision; a physician provides the professional interpretation component. Specimens may include non-gynecologic cytology materials such as sputum or urine when submitted and evaluated as smears.

Select this code when the smear is screened by an automated system, rather than by a cytotechnologist or physician manually. Documentation should identify the specimen source, the automated screening performed, and the physician’s interpretation. CMS recognizes separately priced professional and technical components: report modifier 26 for interpretation, modifier TC for equipment and staff, or neither modifier for 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.

How Washington, DC area compares for 88162

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 88162 runs from $112.63 in Arkansas to $174.57 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $147.15. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

88162 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$147.15
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$146.74−$0.41
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$133.80−$13.35
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$130.00−$17.15
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$146.41−$0.74
  6. Alaska · Alaska$145.95−$1.20
  7. Alabama · Alabama$114.32−$32.83

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

88162 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$112.63—
ArizonaArizona$124.25—
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$137.29—
Chico, CACalifornia$137.14—
El Centro, CACalifornia$137.15—
Fresno, CACalifornia$137.14—
Hanford, CACalifornia$137.14—
Madera, CACalifornia$137.14—

88162 rates by state

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

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$112.63

$155.86

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
88162 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$145.951
AL$114.321
AR$112.631
AZ$124.251
CA$137.14–$174.5729
CO$134.091
CT$136.181
DC$147.151
DE$126.361
FL$123.80–$133.803
GA$116.88–$129.562
GU$140.941
HI$140.941
IA$118.161
ID$118.761
IL$119.51–$131.544
IN$119.491
KS$117.181
KY$116.211
LA$115.86–$121.782
MA$133.10–$148.162
MD$128.95–$147.153
ME$118.96–$126.182
MI$118.93–$124.952
MN$129.601
MO$113.54–$122.723
MS$113.131
MT$127.591
NC$120.311
ND$126.801
NE$118.941
NH$131.591
NJ$138.05–$145.492
NM$119.431
NV$127.471
NY$122.12–$149.515
OH$118.771
OK$116.431
OR$126.79–$138.922
PA$119.19–$132.462
PR$128.691
RI$131.271
SC$119.671
SD$126.701
TN$117.731
TX$118.36–$133.388
UT$121.361
VA$125.47–$147.152
VI$128.691
VT$125.921
WA$132.97–$151.632
WI$122.401
WV$114.871
WY$127.241

See 88162 in every payment locality

How the 88162 rate is calculated

Each of 88162’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 · 88162

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.74

0.74 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense3.04

3.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.04

0.04 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.8200

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$127.59

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

11,141

Code
88162
Physician work
0.74
Practice expense
3.04
Malpractice
0.04

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 88162 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.74× 1.0540.7800
Practice expense3.04× 1.1783.5811
Malpractice0.04× 1.1130.0445
Total RVUs4.4056
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$147.15

Office: (0.74 × 1.054 + 3.04 × 1.178 + 0.04 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $147.15

Open 88162 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 88162

The CMS indicators that decide how 88162 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 88162

Cytopathology smear, automated, other source

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global periodXXXThe global surgery concept doesn’t apply.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical1Diagnostic test with separate professional (26) and technical (TC) components.

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 26 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

88162 without 26 · national office

$127.59

Cytopathology smear, automated, other source

88162-26 · Professional component

$36.74

Pays only the interpretation and report.

When to use modifier 26

Codes related to 88162

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

Codes related to 88162
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Same family
88160Cytology smear, other source, screening and interpretationRelated non-gynecologic smear screening code with a different screening workflow.$93.91
88161Cytology smear, preparation, screening, interpretationRelated non-gynecologic smear screening code distinguished by manual physician screening.$95.48
Used instead
88104Fluid cytology, direct smear methodUsed for cytopathology evaluation of fluids, washings, or brushings rather than this automated smear screening service.$96.81
88142Pap test, preservative fluid, manual screeningApplies to cervical or vaginal cytology using a thin-layer preparation, not other-source smears.$20.26
88173FNA cytology, final interpretation and reportReports cytopathology evaluation and report for a fine-needle aspiration specimen.$190.60

How 88162 has changed in Washington, DC area

88162 · Office / nonfacility

$147.15

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $2.19 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $149.34 to $147.15 (1.5%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $149.34changed to$147.15

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.76 changed to 0.74
    • Practice expense RVU 3.16 changed to 3.04
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $149.71changed to$149.34

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 3.06 changed to 3.16

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $147.27changed to$149.71

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $141.58changed to$147.27

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.75 changed to 3.06
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $137.71changed to$141.58

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.54 changed to 2.75
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $124.19changed to$137.71

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.54

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $118.73changed to$124.19

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 2.20
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $112.95changed to$118.73

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 1.90 changed to 2.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $115.00changed to$112.95

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.95 changed to 1.90

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $117.77changed to$115.00

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 2.02 changed to 1.95
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $123.19changed to$117.77

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 2.15 changed to 2.02
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $117.11changed to$123.19

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 2.01 changed to 2.15
    • Malpractice RVU 0.03 changed to 0.04

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $116.53changed to$117.11

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $111.69changed to$116.53

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.89 changed to 2.01
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.03
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $111.40changed to$111.69

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 2.03 changed to 1.89
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $111.40

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$147.15Not available in this settingRVU26D
2026-07-01$147.15Not available in this settingRVU26C
2026-04-01$147.15Not available in this settingRVU26B
2026-01-01$147.15Not available in this settingRVU26A
2025-10-01$149.34Not available in this settingRVU25D
2025-07-01$149.34Not available in this settingRVU25C
2025-04-01$149.34Not available in this settingRVU25B
2025-01-01$149.34Not available in this settingRVU25A
2024-10-01$149.71Not available in this settingRVU24D
2024-07-01$149.71Not available in this settingRVU24C
2024-04-01$149.71Not available in this settingRVU24B
2024-03-09$149.71Not available in this settingRVU24AR
2024-01-01$147.27Not available in this settingRVU24A
2023-10-01$141.58Not available in this settingRVU23D
2023-07-01$141.58Not available in this settingRVU23C
2023-04-01$141.58Not available in this settingRVU23B
2023-01-01$141.58Not available in this settingRVU23A
2022-10-01$137.71Not available in this settingRVU22D
2022-07-01$137.71Not available in this settingRVU22C
2022-04-01$137.71Not available in this settingRVU22B
2022-01-01$137.71Not available in this settingRVU22A
2021-10-01$124.19Not available in this settingRVU21D
2021-07-01$124.19Not available in this settingRVU21C
2021-04-01$124.19Not available in this settingRVU21B
2021-01-01$124.19Not available in this settingRVU21A
2020-10-01$118.73Not available in this settingRVU20D
2020-07-01$118.73Not available in this settingRVU20C
2020-04-01$118.73Not available in this settingRVU20B
2020-01-01$118.73Not available in this settingRVU20A
2019-10-01$112.95Not available in this settingRVU19D
2019-07-01$112.95Not available in this settingRVU19C
2019-04-01$112.95Not available in this settingRVU19B
2019-01-01$112.95Not available in this settingRVU19A
2018-10-01$115.00Not available in this settingRVU18D
2018-07-01$115.00Not available in this settingRVU18C
2018-04-01$115.00Not available in this settingRVU18B
2018-01-01$115.00Not available in this settingRVU18AR1
2017-10-01$117.77Not available in this settingRVU17D
2017-07-01$117.77Not available in this settingRVU17C
2017-04-01$117.77Not available in this settingRVU17B
2017-01-01$117.77Not available in this settingRVU17A
2016-10-01$123.19Not available in this settingRVU16D
2016-07-01$123.19Not available in this settingRVU16C
2016-04-01$123.19Not available in this settingRVU16B
2016-01-01$123.19Not available in this settingRVU16A
2015-10-01$117.11Not available in this settingRVU15D
2015-07-01$117.11Not available in this settingRVU15C
2015-04-01$116.53Not available in this settingRVU15B
2015-01-01$116.53Not available in this settingRVU15A
2014-10-01$111.69Not available in this settingRVU14D
2014-07-01$111.69Not available in this settingRVU14C
2014-04-01$111.69Not available in this settingRVU14B
2014-01-01$111.69Not available in this settingRVU14A
2013-10-01$111.40Not available in this settingRVU13D
2013-07-01$111.40Not available in this settingRVU13C
2013-04-01$111.40Not available in this settingRVU13B
2013-01-01$111.40Not available in this settingRVU13AR

Price 88162 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

88162 billing questions

How does 88162 differ from 88160 and 88161?

The screening method distinguishes these codes: 88162 is for automated screening, while 88160 and 88161 describe other screening workflows. Use the code matching the documented method.

Which modifier reports only the physician’s interpretation?

Use modifier 26 for the professional component. Modifier TC identifies the technical component, and reporting without either modifier represents the global service.

Can the technical and professional components be billed separately?

Yes. CMS identifies separately priced components for this diagnostic test: modifier TC represents equipment and staff, and modifier 26 represents interpretation.

Does the specimen source affect code selection?

Yes. This code is for smears from sources other than the cervix or vagina. Cervical or vaginal cytology has its own code family.

What documentation supports reporting 88162?

The record should identify the non-gynecologic specimen, document automated smear screening, and support the physician’s interpretation when the professional component is billed.

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

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 88162PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 11,141 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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