Billing code 88162: Cytopathology smearMedicare rate & RVUs in Oregon
Reports automated screening of a cytopathology smear from a non-cervical, non-vaginal source under physician supervision.
Medicare pays $126.79–$138.92 for 88162 in the office in Oregon, from Rest Of Oregon to Portland. 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.
On this page 9 sections
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.
Where 88162 pays more and less in Oregon
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | $138.92 | Unavailable |
| Rest Of Oregon | $126.79 | Unavailable |
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
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
Work 0.74Practice expense 3.04Malpractice 0.04
All indexes start at 1.000 (the national rate). Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
Payment rules and modifiers for 88162
The CMS indicators that decide how 88162 is paid alongside other services.
CMS payment indicators · 88162
Cytopathology smear
| 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
88162 without 26 · national office
$127.59
Cytopathology smear
88162-26 · Professional component
$36.74
Pays only the interpretation and report.
88162 compared with similar codes
Compare codes
88162 vs 88160 vs 88161 vs 88142 vs 88104: national Medicare rates
Swap in your local Medicare rate.
How to choose
- 88160Cytology smear
- 88162 describes automated screening of an other-source smear. 88160 is used for screening by a cytotechnologist under physician supervision.
- 88161Cytology smear
- Use 88162 for automated screening; 88161 describes manual screening by a physician.
- 88142Cytopath c/v thin layer
- 88142 is for cervical or vaginal cytology using a thin-layer preparation. 88162 is for automated screening of smears from other sources.
- 88104Fluid cytology
- 88104 covers cytopathology evaluation of fluids, washings, or brushings. 88162 applies when the service is automated screening of an other-source smear.
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
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